◄ What Does Philippians 1:7 Mean? ►

Paul had great affection for the Philippian believers, as he did for all those who had trusted Christ according to the gospel of grace. Whether he was imprisoned for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, travelling on his missionary journeys to far-flung places, or simply employed in his craft of tent-making, Paul's heart was ever open in intercessions and prayer towards his fellow believers.

As believers in Christ, we are all part of His Body. As Christians in this age of grace, we are all members of the Church of Christ. As fellow-believers who have trusted in the finished work of Christ on the Cross, we are all partakers of God's heavenly grace. We who were once dead in our trespasses and sins and estranged from God by sin, have been forgiven of our sins and brought near to His throne of grace, through faith in Christ Jesus our Saviour.

God has begun a good work in each of his children, for we are all being conformed into the image and likeness of Christ, and we will all one day stand together in His excellent presence in our risen, ascended, and glorified bodies.

How important, therefore, that we too should have a godly love in our heart towards all our brothers and sisters in Christ, no matter where we find ourselves, and irrespective of what our situation happens to be.

Surely it is right for all who are God's children to have love in our hearts for every other member of His Body, for we are all partakers of God's amazing grace. Praise His holy name.

Heavenly Father, in a world where the truth of the gospel is despised by the masses and the grace of God has been rejected in this humanistic society, help me to be like Paul. Help me to keep my brothers and sisters in remembrance and to lift them up prayer and thanksgiving. We are all one in Christ and all partakers of the glorious gospel of grace. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.