Just very recently, the Lord opened my eyes to a revelation which was hidden from me from a very long time. Paul the Apostle thanked and prayed for the Philippians in the first chapter of his letter to them.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6
From the experience I have gathered in the world of business, partnership and being an entrepreneur, the only way to benefit from any partnership is to invest your capital, expertise or any other contribution to business. Without your contribution in any partnership, you cannot confidently walk up to the management and ask for a share of profit or dividend. It is therefore on this premise that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, that the good works the Lord has started in your lives will be completed based on your partnership in the gospel from the very first day until now.
We must catch this truth, because being steadfast in the love and grace in Christ Jesus is the only way to be fruitful. We will not be fulfilled in this world without partnering with God in whatever we do. Our life is no longer ours, because we have been bought with a price. God paid for our lives with the life of His only son, Jesus, to die for us, so that we would not die anymore, escaping the grip of law and death.
1 Corinthians 6:20
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Beginning to Live the Gospel
I believe this is a call to retrace our steps back to the place of the Cross and re-engage in partnering with the Lord in the gospel. It is time we started living the gospel and not only study it. There must be a reflection of gospel in the ways we live daily, that the Lord may be glorified in us.
Philippians 1:27
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.
Ways of Partnering in the Gospel
- Studying the word
- Meditating on His words
- Praying fervently
- Evangelising
- Sharing the love of God with others
Written by
Rev. Ayodele Afuye
