“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus:
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:1-6 CSB

Honestly, life can sometimes be a downer. You can give and give until you feel dry and parched. To pour out you must be poured into. As believers we pour into one another through Biblical community. Brothers and sisters in Christ that will walk through the seasons of life with us. And there will be seasons of both flourishing and famine.

Paul begins by addressing the church, including the overseers and deacons. I believe this is vital because biblical community is grown, over time and over seasons, under Godly leadership that models such community. This kind of community is for the church as a whole. Not just for the congregation or just for the leadership. Biblical community involves each person who has given their life to follow Christ and each body of believers that commits to Gospel ministry.

Paul shares his prayers of thanksgiving for this church with this church. They are a source of joy to him. He sees the work of The Lord going on in that body of believers, and he calls it out. We should call out the good work we see the Lord doing in one another. And not just in our pastors, elders, deacons and leaders, but in those whose gifts are not out front, those who serve without recognition, those who serve in ways we cannot or do not. Our understanding of good works should come from Christ and not our own abilities to make things happen. Christ changes our hearts, minds and attitudes…abilities do not.

As a body, we are accountable to one another because how we live affects the body. Yes, final judgement belongs to the Lord. However, we are called to encourage, or to stimulate, Godly living in those who belong to Christ, who belong to His household of faith. Each believer is to give an account within their congregation of how they are living. Whether as members or as congregations, partnership requires accountability, accountability requires encouragement, encouragement requires action.

Questions for Reflection:

• Are you part of a Biblical community (not just attending church)?
• To whom are you accountable (not just Christ)?
• Whom are you holding accountable?
• How are you living out your faith?
• Who are you thankful for? Have you made it known to Christ and to them?

Lord Jesus, open our hearts to see the part that accountability and encouragement play within your church. Give us open hearts and open eyes to see how you are working in those around us. And help us to be willing to call out the good things in each other. Amen.