PHILIPPIANS 1:1

“Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:” 

Everyone likes to be included, right? Sadly, the world has pushed the issue of “inclusiveness” to the point of absurdity saying that we should be inclusive of everyone, no matter what they believe or how they live their lives. No one wants to be excluded, but there are certainly moral grounds for that. I don’t need to name any of those, do I? As believers, we should know what those are since Scripture is pretty clear about them.

As we begin a new study in the letter to the Philippian church from Paul, we see Paul also offering a bit of inclusiveness to a group. He addresses the letter “to all the saints in Christ Jesus in Philippi,” but he extends a special message to “the overseers and deacons.” Why? Because they are the ones who are supposed to lead that body of Christ. He wants them to pay close attention to what he is about to write.

APPLICATION

The Greek word translated as “including” is really just the little preposition sun, which means together with or companionship. It’s the Greek “with” that implies a bond so close it can’t be separated. It’s the preposition used over and over to describe our union with Christ.

Who is included in your own spiritual journey? Do you have allies who walk beside you to encourage you? We all need each other in this walk of faith. We are not meant to do this alone. Just as Paul is calling on the overseers and deacons, we should be calling on others to join us. Some people call this having an accountability partner. I prefer to call them allies, those who are with me to encourage me, not just to hold me accountable to certain actions.

If you don’t have someone you would call an ally, ask the Lord to send someone to you. Maybe someone else is praying for an ally and God wants you to step up. Just think of all the allies Paul had in his ministry. He couldn’t get enough of them. Nor should we. Include others in your walk today.

God, make me an ally for someone today. Put others in my life to serve as my ally also.