Wednesday, April 13
Friends on mission
Scripture: Joshua 15-16, Psalm 44, Romans 16
Observation
I’ve always loved Paul’s extensive personal greetings to church members in Rome, a church that he had not yet visited. He names 26 individuals to whom he sends affectionate greetings. How did he know so many people in a church he hadn’t started or visited? Travel was common in the empire, so it’s possible he’s crossed paths with these people in his (and their) extensive travels. It’s possible that Paul named so many people to establish a connection with this church he had yet to visit. We often do the same thing when we meet new people: we look for friends we have in common—the more, the better.
Notice these two things.
First: the affection Paul feels for them. Many of them are “dear friends” and “co-workers.” There is a profound connection shared by those who work side-by-side for the Lord. I have life-long friends who have been co-workers in the gospel.
Second, the characteristics that Paul highlights. These people:
- Work very hard
- Risked their lives
- Were fellow prisoners
Obviously, these were committed Jesus-followers who were willing to sacrifice for the cause of Christ—willing to work hard, suffer and die for Jesus! You get close to people with whom you serve, suffer and sacrifice!
Application
Imagine writing a letter to your church. Would you be able to name and greet 26 people for whom you feel deep affection and with whom you have served and sacrificed?
This reveals the difference between being a church attender and being a church member. (I’m thinking of church membership in the Biblical sense as Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 12, where he likens the church to a human body and each of us is a part or member of the body. Each part is organically connected to all the others and has a unique contribution to make to the whole.)
You can attend, consume what’s offered, and know no one well…and miss out on the deep friendships forged in co-laboring for Christ. You could never write a letter like this.
Or you can roll up your sleeves and serve, suffer and sacrifice alongside others in the work of the gospel…and forge those deep relationships that last a lifetime, and beyond.
One of the core values of our church planting movement is “Relationships: we are friends on mission.”
One of my goals is to help my fellow believers move from attenders to members (in that Biblical sense) where they are “friends on mission” and forming those deep relationships that come from serving and sacrificing together.
Prayer: Lord, I’m so grateful for the lifelong friends you’ve given me with whom I have served side by side. I want every believer to experience those deep relationships.