“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now” Philippians 1:3-5
The Apostle Paul’s laser-like focus on the Gospel is evident as he writes this letter from prison to the Philippian church. Right away, he lets them know that he cannot do the work alone. He needs their partnership, and he is grateful for it!
The believers in Philippi may have helped finance Paul’s missionary journeys or provided for him while he lived in their city, but his encouragement seems to be more about praying for him and continuing to share the Gospel with their own neighbors and city. The people not only “share in God’s grace” with Paul because they believe in Jesus Christ, but they also share in it because they are following his example to do all they can to bring others into a relationship with the Lord.
As believers in Christ, we are called to partner with each other to reach the world with God’s love and salvation. When we do this, we are not just working together, we are also partnering with God. The reward of this partnership is joy like Paul had. Even though he was in jail, Paul was filled with joy and love — JOY because the Gospel was being heard and people were coming to know Jesus, and so much LOVE for people — even his jailers and guards — that he was compelled to risk everything to tell them how much God loved them.
Paul saw the world the way the Lord sees it. He longed for everyone to be saved. God wants to give each of us a heart like that — a heart filled with love for others and joy in seeing them reconciled to Christ.
CONSIDER: How are you partnering with others for the sake of the Gospel? Where can you do this more?
FURTHER STUDY: Read the rest of Philippians Chapter One.
PRAYER: Father, show me how to partner with You and others in sharing the truth of Your Word. Help me demonstrate Your incredible love to the people I see today and open the door for me to share your Gospel with kindness and respect. Amen.
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