Among the remarkable touches one notices in the writings of the apostle Paul are his relationships with other Christians. Of Paul’s thirteen inspired letters, four are personal letters to fellow laborers in the faith. Of his nine epistles to churches, three conclude with lengthy lists of individual salutations and commendations, in which Paul expresses his appreciation for various saints by name.
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; 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13) and that he coveted others’ prayers on his behalf (1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1).
There’s a lesson in this for us. We are often quick to give thanks to God for the material blessings we enjoy. We thank Him for our food when we eat, and for the clothing and shelter He supplies from His abundance. But how often do we remember to be thankful for the people with whom He has surrounded us, our brothers and sisters in the family of God?
We ought always to remember one another in our prayers to the Father. And that, not merely in a general way, but specifically, individually, by name. For an example, read the closing chapter of Romans and reflect on the language Paul uses to mention these other Christians who were precious to him. Epaenetus, Amplias and Stachys were “my beloved” (16:5,8-9). Tryphena and Tryphosa “have labored in the Lord” (16:12); Mary had “labored much for us” (16:6); the beloved Persis “labored much in the Lord” (16:12). Andronicus and Junia were “of note among the apostles” (16:7). Apelles was “approved in Christ” (16:10). Paul acknowledged Urbanus as “our fellow worker in Christ” (16:9) and Rufus as “chosen in the Lord” (16:13). When was the last time you used any of these expressions to show your appreciation for a brother or sister in Christ?
Our fellow Christians constitute one of the most cherished blessings we enjoy in the Lord. Jesus’ promise of 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) 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 and embrace it as a beautiful gift of God. And we need to let each other know that we appreciate each brother, sister, parent, and child we have in Him.
Paul exhorted “that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1). If it is good that we give thanks for all men, then all the more good it is that we give thanks for those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).
We can demonstrate our thankfulness in tangible ways — by seizing every opportunity to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), to “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15), to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24), to “teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Colossians 3:16), to do good to “the least of these” (Matthew 25:34-40).
Saints, let us at the church of Christ that meets in Miami Gardens take the time to give thanks for and to one another. For us Thanksgiving is a WAY of life and not just a season.