April 23, 2026

Hey guys, 

This week’s Thought comes from Philippians 1:27. In the latter part of verse 27, Paul says this to the church, “Then whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together in one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.”

Standing together in one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the sake of the Gospel…isn’t that what The Church is supposed to be doing? Isn’t this what we should be doing as followers of Jesus? Unfortunately, that doesn't describe many of our churches today, and certainly doesn't describe inter-church relationships. Similar churches compete, even put other churches down, and it only gets worse in regard to how different denominations treat each other! That is not how the body of Christ is supposed to act.

So, how do we overcome that competition? How do we overcome the constant urge to focus on ourselves? In today's culture, if I'm going to ask those questions, I naturally want steps 1-5, so that I can check specific things off my list, and Boom, I have overcome the temptation to serve my own interests! God's word doesn’t work that way, however. It doesn't give you a progression of steps 1-5. Often, it gives you one thing that should result in something else.

Let’s now read the first part of verse 27. Paul speaks these words to the Church, “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the good news of Christ.” Don't get hung up on the word worthy. None of us are worthy of salvation. That is not what Paul is saying. If we are living our lives in response to the Gospel/Good News — what Jesus did for us on the cross — and all those that follow Jesus do the same, then we are going to have one spirit, one purpose, and we are going to want to fight together for the faith.

Love you guys,

John