“Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” (Philippians 4:21–23, ESV)
Today as I was waiting for my dental appointment, I met a man in the waiting room. I noticed that he had a baseball cap that indicated that he was a military veteran. So, being a veteran who served in the Army, I struck up a conversation with him. He was a Marine Corps veteran who rose from the enlisted ranks to become a Captain. He shared his military experience and I shared mine with him.
I know that there is a certain rivalry between the various military service branches. This is often something done in jest. The movies often portray contention, especially in bars where members of different branches under the influence get into braws. However, I have never experienced this type of thing other than some fun rhetoric teasing.
Yet there is something of a special affinity that I have observed between veterans, regardless of their assigned military branch. It is a comradery that is something deeper than many would understand. Despite the military branch rhetoric there is a special bond between veterans of the various of military service.
There is a similar relationship that exists between believers and churches. In the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he sends a special greeting from the believers in Rome to those in the Philippian church. The connection between genuine believers and true churches is one divinely established. True believers and true churches are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit.
I can testify to this unique connection between believers and churches. When I worked for a Swiss company in Zurich, I often traveled from our office in Illinois to Zurich for business purposes. While there I would attend the International English-Speaking Church of Zurich. I remember meeting a couple in this church who were true believers. They invited me to lunch with them after the Sunday service. I had a wonderful time speaking with them over a meal. It was like I had known them for years. It was a special bond born of the Spirit.
As believers we should consider the bods that exists between ourselves and other true believers in Jesus. We should never experience contention with others in the faith. This bond also should exist between churches of like faith that preach the full truth of the gospel.
Renewing the Heart 