Striving Side by Side

Are we striving? Are we striving together for a common cause? Are we striving side by side for the faith [of the gospel]? Striving [Sunathleo] or to labor with, or wrestle in company with, informs us of not just an effort but a severe level of work sustained against the opposition.

Despite the wilderness beneath the soil, I am mindful of just how a faithful farmer against the seasons will succeed in gaining a crop. In 'good' hands, the wild becomes an orchard. Standing firm and contending [together] matters.

Paul, as best we know, wrote this gem we call Philippians while imprisoned in Rome. In this letter, beyond the many things he might've declared, he expresses thanksgiving for all the support from his believing 'family', and secondly, he offers the clarion call for Christian unity.

He offers the church a vision statement in this key text: "Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ...standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending [striving] together for the faith of the gospel..." Philippians 1:27 [CSB].  He reminds us that 'this' is not our home, though our bodies reside here and we engage a certain purpose through these bodies. We are citizens in heaven, in Christ.

Isn't that news worth sharing?! Our sharing is called to be organic [lifestyle] as well as verbal [preached] for the sake of those in jeopardy of eternal separation from God and outside of His expressed Mercy. At its height our sharing is personal and is also thoroughly born of Christian community, our unity equivalent to being a sign of salvation [v.28].  If you doubt me, ask the five foolish virgins. [Matthew 25:1-13]

This 'striving' resists the pull of our selfishness [our flesh], the working of this secular world system, and the adversary. It ain't easy, but the heaviest lifting is God's. He is indeed the good Shepherd and the great Shepherd. He is and has given us help. Let us all consider the dawn before us, as well as that dawning within, and consider Jehovah Jireh, our provider. He is what we are not. When we cannot, He can. And this contending together boasts with our differences one to another. Thereof is the beauty in our striving as a fruit of His Spirit. Let Him be our firm foundation and none other. Reach. Press. Bless God now. All to the glory of God!

PRAYER: Dearest Lord, grant us the wisdom to live as we ought, one day, one hour at a time, that we may bless You with what You've given us, and be a blessing to the other brought our way. Let each appetite meet grace, and within that dear communion let's embrace life with changed hearts and refreshed minds. Amen.
By Dea. McNeal Brockington