Unity in Suffering

Scripture:

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Observation:

Paul opens his book to the Philippians by telling them about being in chains and how it has been a blessing to those around him and opened doors for the Gospel.  He is writing this from a prison cell and telling them to rejoice because they will be counted worthy to suffer for Christ.  In this text, he tells them to stand fast in one spirit and with one mind, striving for the faith of the Gospel.  His cry to a persecuted church was for them to be unified.

Application:

Unity is crucial in the body of Christ.  When we are unified, great things can happen.  Unity also allows us to go through difficult things together.  A unified people can ensure suffering because they know someone with with them and they are in this together.  When you are alone and suffering, it is extremely difficult.  God put us in a family so we won’t have to suffer alone, but that we may strive together for the Gospel.  We need each other and need to reach out to each other during good and difficult times.

Prayer:

Father, teach me to walk in unity with my brothers and sisters.  Help me to do everything I can to keep Your people together during the age we live in.  Unify Your Church and bring us together during this season of Covid 19.  Let me be a unifier in Your kingdom because I know we need each other to get through the days ahead.

Yours,

Jeff