It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. Philippians 1:7
Proverbs says there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24). How can a friend become closer than the bond of brothers? Perhaps when friends are bonded with the blood of Christ. Those who recognize their short-comings are redeemed with the blood of Christ and those who find their purpose rooted in Christ’s mission are bonded together in a way biological blood cannot touch. Even Jesus told his mother and brothers that whoever hears the Word of God and does it becomes a true family (Luke 8:21).
This is the case with Paul and his friends at the Church in Philippi. They’ve created such a strong bond of love, primarily because they share in God’s grace and they are on mission to defend and uphold the gospel in each of their respected locations. Their love for one another overflows from the same source of never-ending love, Christ.
As we root ourselves in Christ’s love, he gives us his resource of love. He can fill our tank of love with infinite measure. As we befriend others who share this same rooted love, like Paul, we are right to feel an overflow of joy when we see them or write to them from a distance. Perhaps you feel uniquely bonded to a spiritual friend. Where do you think this special bond comes from? Today, prepare to connect to others with a special bond of Christ by letting Christ love you. Re-write Psalm 139 as a love-letter from Jesus to you and let it wash over you.
By Yvonne Biel
