By: Mike Riley
Our fellow Christians constitute one of the most cherished blessings we enjoy in the Lord. Our Lord’s promise of a 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 – ESV), is fulfilled in the brothers and sisters and parents and children we are to one another in Christ. We need to understand the immense value of that blessing by letting our brothers and sisters in Christ know of their value and importance in our lives. As we look at the writings of the inspired apostle Paul, we cannot help but notice his relationship with other Christians. Of Paul’s thirteen inspired letters, four are personal letters to fellow laborers in the faith (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon). Three of his nine epistles to churches conclude with lengthy lists of individual salutations and commendations, in which Paul expresses his appreciation for various saints by name (cf. Romans 16; 1 Corinthians 16; Colossians 4). Throughout his writings, we see Paul’s gratitude for those with whom he shared a common hope and experience.
He thanked 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 1:3,9; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4; 1 Thessalonians 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13) and that he coveted the prayers of brethren on his behalf (Romans 15:30; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:18-19; Colossians 4:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1).
Paul’s Lesson of Thankfulness for Fellow Christians
In all of the above Scriptures, Paul teaches us a great lesson regarding thankfulness for our brethren. While we are often quick to give thanks to God for the material blessings we enjoy, how often do we remember to be thankful for our brothers and sisters in Christ? We ought always to remember one another in our prayers to the Father, not merely in a general way, but specifically and individually by name. For example, read the closing chapter of Romans and reflect on the language Paul uses to mention other Christians who were precious to him. Epaenetus, Amplias, and Stachys were “my beloved” (Romans 16:5,8,9). Tryphena and Tryphosa “have labored in the Lord” (Romans 16:12); Mary had “labored much for us” (Romans 16:6); the beloved Persis “labored much in the Lord” (Romans 16:12). 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) and Rufus as “chosen in the Lord” (Romans 16:13). When was the last time we used any of these expressions to show our appreciation for a brother or sister in Christ?
Tangible Ways to Demonstrate Our Thankfulness
We can demonstrate our thankfulness in tangible ways: (1) by seizing every opportunity to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2); (2) to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15); (3) to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24); (4) to “teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16); (5) to do good to “the least of these my brethren” (Matthew 25:34-40).
Conclusion
Brethren, let us never neglect to express our thankfulness for one another. When we pray and give thanks to God for the bounty of His blessings, let us include our brethren as an integral part of those blessings.