Philippians 1:3–4 (NKJV) “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.”
Paul, in prison, was not thinking of himself but the church, his fellow believers in Jesus Christ. He prayed for the church. The church brought joy to his life. The followers of Christ were not just on his mind but in his heart.
Thanking God for fellow believers. What a novel thought! It is easy to find fault, to complain about others. It is difficult to thank God for those who disagree with us and are always complaining.
We are to pray for fellow believers. We do not know what others are going through. Life at best is difficult. When problems arise in another person’s life it makes life more difficult. The fellowship in the church should be such that we gather around each other, love one another, care for one another.
What does the Bible say about loving one another?
John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.”
Ephesians 4:31–32 “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
Love is a choice. God chose to love us despite our sins, rebellion, and hatred for Him. Can we do any less than love others?