THURSDAY February 6, 2025
Christians Working in Unity
Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Philemon 23-25
Paul winds down his letter to Philemon by adding an extended greeting from Epaphras. The Apostle gave testament to his imprisonment calling him “my fellow prisoner,” showing us that he also suffered for the sake of the Gospel. He was also a man of prayer: "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers...” (Colossians 4:12). Epaphras taught the Colossians the Gospel and became a key person in establishing the church in Colossae.
Mark, if you remember, was Barnabas’ cousin, and, after a time of disagreement, became an example of someone who at first seemed unprofitable, but eventually, toward the end of Paul’s ministry, he became profitable to the Apostle in the ministry. Aristarchus, whose name means “best ruler” or “best prince,” was a convert from Judaism. He was a Macedonian of Thessalonica and became one of Paul’s travel companions. He was referred to as a “fellow prisoner,” which implies he, too, became a prisoner for Christ (Acts 19:29).
Demas was a fellow Christian, but as he loved this present world, he departed from the faith. He completely backslid to become an apostate. Listen, not everyone stays with the Lord. You may have friends whom you love in Christ; some stay, but others depart. People can walk with God for a while, but the world entices them, and they leave Christ––sad.
Finally, Luke was Paul’s physician who faithfully stayed by his side. What a beautiful ending to a letter that shows us how Christians are to work together in unity and harmony as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Notice how Paul begins with grace and ends with grace––this is how we should start and end our lives––trusting in God’s grace to the very end.
All that I was, my sin, my guilt, my death, was all my own; all that I am I owe to thee, my gracious God, alone.
~Horatius Bonar~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
