Let's Give Thanks For Fellow Christians!
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesAmong the inspired writings of the apostle Paul, are his relationships with other Christians. Of Paul”™s thirteen letters, four are personal letters to fellow laborers in the faith. Of his nine epistles to churches, three conclude with lengthy lists of individual salutations and commendations in which Paul expresses his appreciation for various saints by name.
For example, He thanks Priscilla and Aquila for saving his life at the risk of their own (Romans 16:3-4). He frequently mentions the fact that brethren in Christ were in his prayers (Ephesians 1:15-16; Colossians 1:3; Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13) and that he coveted the brethren’s prayers on his behalf (2 Corinthians 1:11; Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 6:18-19; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).
Note in Romans 16:1-15 how that Paul specifically refers to fellow Christians by name. For example, Epaenetus, Amplias and Stachys were “my beloved” (Romans 16:5; Romans 16:8-9 ). Tryphena and Tryphosa “have labored much in the Lord” ( Romans 16:12); Mary had “labored much for us” (Romans 16:6); Andronicus and Junia were “of note among the apostles” (Romans 16:7). Apelles was “approved in Christ” (Romans 16:10). Paul acknowledged Urbanus as “our fellow worker in Christ” ( Romans 16:9); the beloved Persis “labored much in the Lord” (Romans 16:12). Rufus is described as being “chosen in the Lord” (Romans 16:13).
When was the last time we used any of the above expressions to show our appreciation for a brother or sister in Christ? Brethren, our fellow Christians constitute one of the most cherished blessings we enjoy in the Lord’s promise of hundredfold abundance of “brothers and sisters and mothers and children” to those who forsake the attachments of the world for His sake and the gospel’s (Mark 10:29-30). We need to understand the immense value of that blessing and embrace it as a beautiful gift of God. We need to communicate the fact that we appreciate each brother, sister, parent, and child we have in Him.
In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul exhorts:
“that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.“
If it is good that we give thanks for all men, then all the more good it is that we give thanks for those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
We can demonstrate our thankfulness in tangible ways — such as seizing every opportunity to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15), to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24), to “teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16), and to do good to “the least of these My brethren” (Matthew 25:40).
Brethren, let’s never be neglectful to tell our fellow Christians how thankful we are for them and their godly influence in our lives and in the lives of others (1 Thessalonians 1:1-8; cf. Romans 1:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4).