“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:1).
Did you know that seven out of the 13 of Paul’s letters were written with the help of others? And, did you know that during all of Paul’s missionary trips that he was accompanied by others and was even sent out by his church in Antioch, though he was an apostle with his own apostolic authority?
The apostle Paul’s writings are filled with unique wisdom and insight. It’s clear from the New Testament that Paul was gifted in remarkable ways. He also had special authority to bring about the church’s obedience as he recounted in Romans 1. But Paul never did things as a Lone Ranger Christian. He worked with others, submitted himself to others, and developed ministry partnerships with the people that he came to know in the countries where he traveled.
No matter what your position in the church, none of us operate alone or under our own authority. If we take Paul as our example we see that we also must have others that we partner with to accomplish the work of the Gospel or with anything in life.
Are you working with others or working alone? Every member of the body needs other members along with it (I Corinthians 12).
Memory Verse
“God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another” (I Corinthians 12:24-25).
Application
Do you sometimes feel alone in ministry? Make a list of people whom you’d like to work with in your personal ministry? How can you partner with them and build bridges of accountability and encouragement? Look for ways to submit to others and work together.