3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
About ten years had passed since the apostle Paul had worked with the Philippian believers yet that had in no way diminished his care, concern and love for them. He writes very fondly and lovingly regarding his every remembrance of these precious partners with him in the gospel. His thoughts of them brought him great joy. This was extremely interesting in light of the fact that his experience in Philippi was filled with such hardships and was anything but what I would call easy. Yet in the midst of many difficulties, these brothers and sisters in Christ had brought him much comfort and joy and continued to do so.
There remains a common bond among true believers in Christ Jesus that the world’s clubs, organizations or secret societies know little of and, quite frankly, cannot equal. The bond of fellowship among believers speaks of a partnership and close union as well as of a brotherly or sisterly love held together by a powerful common golden Thread which, of course, is Jesus. This fellowship is much more than simply getting together for a dinner party or a cup of java – it is far deeper and goes much further still. It involves a union and bond in our desires, goals and thoughts as well a focus on God’s will and His way. It is being one together in Christ - His interests our interests, His ways our ways.
“Hold Christian company, and you will be kept wakeful by it, and refreshed and encouraged to make quicker progress in the road to heaven.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“When sin penetrated the hearts of Adam and Eve, they not only became alienated from God, but they also became alienated from each other. When Jesus died on the Cross, He made it possible for all who believe in Him to be in fellowship with God—and also in godly fellowship with one another. Godly friendships are the evidence of our belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ. But godly friendships are not found; they are made. They are built up stone by stone. They are established on biblical principles.” Michael Youssef
None of the believers were excluded from Paul’s mighty prayers and he encourages them thus. This is especially significant as he was in chains. His focus remained not on his circumstances rather on the benefit and the lifting up of others. Paul writes similar words to the believers at Colosse strengthening them as well. Btw, this is a great prayer to pray for your family and for yourself as well:
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Col 1:9-12 (NIV)
Next, Paul reminds the Philippians of the confidence that he held in God to complete the good work He had begun in them. I am reminded of the encouraging words King David penned in Psalm 138:
6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. 8 The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever-- do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalms 138:6-8 (NIV)
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians on the faithfulness of God to keep us strong to the end as well. It is good to be reminded of these things so that we will not grow weary and lose heart:
7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Cor 1:7-9 (NIV)
“When the Bible speaks of ‘following Jesus’, it is proclaiming a discipleship which will liberate mankind from all man-made dogma, from every burden and oppression, from every anxiety and torture which afflicts the conscience. If they follow Jesus, men escape from the hard yoke of their own laws, and submit to the kindly yoke of Jesus Christ. But does this mean that we can ignore the seriousness of His command? Far from it! We can only achieve perfect liberty and enjoy fellowship with Jesus when His command, His call to absolute discipleship, is appreciated in its entirety. Only the man who follows the command of Jesus without reserve, and submits unresistingly to His yoke, finds his burden easy, and under its gentle pressure receives the power to persevere in the right way. The command of Jesus is hard—unutterably hard—for those who try to resist it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer