“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.” (Philippians 1:2-7 KJV)
One might expect 1977 years of Christianity to have changed the world, yet many so-called believers are not changed by it. Since the Apostle to the Gentiles suffered so much abuse at the hands of his opponents, maybe we should not expect 21st century ministry to be any different. At Philippi Paul suffered hard things; he was scourged, and put in jail (Acts 16:23-24); yet he did not allow those abuses to destroy his kindness or his resolve. We must never allow the enmity of the ungodly to deter us from the purpose and ministry given to us by the Lord.
Paul refused to let either the enemies of the Cross or opponents to his ministry obstruct his obedience to the Divine call he had received. With a determined resolve, Paul refused to let his detractors set his agenda. Instead, he focused on his partners in grace. Perhaps we would be more victorious if we would do the same. I know it is difficult to allow personal attacks and struggles to roll off our backs like water on a duck, but sometimes that is the best offense. Like Nehemiah, we must not let the opposition distract us (Neh. 6:3-4).
Our partners in grace are more important than any personal defense we might construct. They need our assurance of God’s grace and peace. They need to know that we are thinking of them and praying for them. They are usually acutely aware of our personal struggles . . . even if specifics and details are not known. They love us and are concerned about us, so the Holy Spirit reveals our need for strength to them. Maybe that is why we are partners in grace. They have been with us from the first day. Together we enjoy the fellowship of the gospel in all its ramifications, whether positive or negative. They too know what it is like being under the gun of the enemy.
Note that Paul focused on encouraging his partners rather than wallowing in his own circumstances. Is it possible that here is a good prescription for overcoming the enemy’s obstacles? Joyfully making requests for our partners always and in every prayer . . . what a victorious concept! What a way to get out of the doldrums! Stop focusing on self and consider the fellowship of our partners in grace.
Consider Paul’s encouragement to his partners in grace. “I am confident that God began a good work in you and will continue to perform it in you until Jesus returns” (v.6). Now, Paul’s confidence covered more than his Philippian partners. If God was working in them, He was also working in Paul. If God would complete his work in the Philippians, He would also complete his work in Paul. If Paul was confident for them, he could also be confident of the same for himself. Since Paul understood this, let us also acknowledge it in our own lives and ministries.
With Paul I say to you, “Because you are in my heart, it is proper to think of you in this manner, since you are partners with me both in bonds and the defense and the confirmation of the gospel” (v.7 ).
Dear Father, thank you for my partners in grace. Envelope them with your grace and peace. Strengthen them with a holy resolve and determination to achieve your will . This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Grace and peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ,