Together

Sunday February 22, 2015

A strange phenomenon is occurring all around me as I write this article. Tucked into the warm splendour of my niece´s living room, I´m observing ants occasionally crawling and darting about on the walls. Why is this strange? Well, there´s nearly 2 feet of snow outside her home, and it was -28°C a few days ago. So I´ve been wondering, How are these tiny creatures surviving? It appears they´re doing so by sticking together, working together and dwelling in the warmth found inside the house.

Paul was probably well acquainted with ants as he sat in a prison cell and wrote his epistle to the church at Philippi. And much like my little friends on the walls around me, the apostle wanted his readers to "[stand] together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith" (Philippians 1:27). Paul was behind prison bars and the believers who he was writing to were facing persecution, so they were truly in a "struggle together" (v.30).

But was Paul tossing in the towel? Had he given up the fight? No way. As he wrote his epistle of joy, Paul encouraged his friends to "live as citizens of heaven" and to share in the "privilege of trusting in Christ ... [and] of suffering for Him" (vv. 27, 29). Though they faced the bitter "elements" of outside forces that threatened to destroy them, Paul wrote of the warming hope that they would be "saved, even by God Himself" (v. 28).

It´s vital that you and I walk with other believers in Jesus through the difficulties and faith-challenging attacks of the world. Together we can experience encouragement, comfort, fellowship and compassion "in the Spirit" (2:1). Let´s stick together, work together and dwell in the warmth of God´s love. - Tom Felten

Read
Philippians 1:27-2:2
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved - and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

1 Thessalonians 2:12
encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Question to Ponder
What has been causing you to pull away from other believers in Jesus?
How can you encourage someone today to press on in the faith?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015