Friday after the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 28, 2020 by under
Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3 (NKJV)
4:1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
2 I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Devotion
Out of the countless Christians throughout history, the names of only a few are recorded in Scripture. In today’s reading Paul points to two women, Euodia and Syntyche, who had an important role in helping Paul establish the church in Philippi. While the details of their labors are not recorded, it is enough for us simply to know that they were of great help to Paul.
Since the time of Paul, countless people have also served their fellow Christians. Some of their names are recorded in the annals of history, while others after a generation or two are all but forgotten. Even though they may have been forgotten by this world, their work in the Church was, and is, important. Why? Because the works they have done were ordained by God before the foundation of the world. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
You, too, are “fellow workers” in Christ’s Church. When you were baptized you, too, were “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Like Paul, you can say, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). Though people may not recognize what you are doing, you can rejoice, for your “names are in the Book of Life.”
Prayer: Gracious Father, Thou hast granted us a place in Thy kingdom for Jesus’ sake. By Thy grace, grant that we may please Thee with the works Thou hast given us to do. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
