[517 words]
We need other Christians. We depend on them to help us. Even Paul needed brothers and sisters to help him do his work and bear his burdens. In the little book of Philemon, Paul named some of these good “fellows.”
Philemon the fellow laborer (v. 1). This brother worked with Paul in the preaching and teaching of the gospel. We need to work together to spread the gospel today. We need to encourage, support, assist and pray for each other. This starts in the congregation. Do your part. Honor those who are putting in extra hours and effort to teach the gospel—elders, preachers, and Bible class teachers. If you are serving in one of those roles, help and encourage each other. Don’t try to fly solo. There is little that you can accomplish by yourself. But look outside your congregation and be a good fellow laborer with other congregations in your area. Do what you can to help them in their good works. And don’t stop there. Do everything you can to support and encourage mission works in this country and abroad. Are you a good fellow laborer?
Archippus the fellow soldier (v. 2). This man fought beside Paul in spiritual battles. We need fellow soldiers in the church today—men and women who defend the Bible and stand with each other against the world. Soldiers fight for a cause, and there is no cause greater than the kingdom of God. There is no enemy more dangerous than Satan. We need every piece of the Christian armor God provides (Eph. 6:10-17). We need to be willing to lay down our lives for each other (1 John 3:16). Fathers and mothers are at war with the world as they try to raise their children. Young people are facing hard battles and need the strength of fellow soldiers. Husbands are facing what some call “every man’s battle” every time they pick up their phone. Preachers are battling discouragement in the face of disinterest in spiritual things and lack of dedication in church members. Older people are going through the greatest heartaches and pains in their life as death draws near. Help them in this struggle. Are you a good fellow soldier?
Epaphras the fellow prisoner (v. 23). Paul was a prisoner when he wrote this book. He was in prison “frequently” (2 Cor. 11:23). Other brethren suffered the same fate. These men could relate to each other’s suffering and comfort and encourage one another. Some Christians today have been arrested for their beliefs, but most have not. Still, we can sympathize with each other and bear one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2). And though we may not be punished with imprisonment like Paul, we are persecuted. “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). When we face those trials, we can sympathies with other Christians who are experiencing the same or worse treatment. Even if we are not in their situation, we should “remember the prisoners as if chained with them” (Heb. 13:3). Are you a good fellow prisoner?
Kerry Duke
West End church of Christ
Livingston, TN