April 04 2026

Saturday April 04

Partakers of Grace Together

Philippians 1:7

“Just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.”

This weekend, at Easter time, we have been considering the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. We call it Good Friday—the day when Jesus was crucified and suffered. He endured a horrendous, terrible crucifixion for you and for me. He died in our place for our sins.

The Scripture teaches that just as Christ suffered, we also are going to suffer. That is what Philippians 1:7 hints at, I believe, as the Apostle Paul tells the church at Philippi, “I have you in my heart.” But then he goes on to say, “inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.” You are all partakers with me in this grace that God gives us in the midst of our suffering. That is what we want to talk about for a few minutes today: partakers of grace together.

The Apostle Paul is talking about what it means to share together in what God is doing in our lives. As we face suffering, God gives us grace for that suffering. He mentions that the church at Philippi was a group of people who shared in his ministry. They shared in his suffering. They shared in his mission. Even while Paul was in prison, and as he says here, “in my chains,” they were still connected to him, even though they were miles away. My friend, grace is not something we receive only individually. It is something we experience together. We share in the work of God. We share in the struggles we go through, and we share in the victories.

I am thinking of Hebrews 13:1-3, where the Apostle Paul—I say the Apostle Paul because I feel he probably wrote the book—says, “Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for in so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.” Then in verse 3, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” The Bible teaches us that we are to consider that while other believers are suffering, we are to enter into their suffering as if it were our own. We feel with them their suffering with compassion and empathy, and we pray and intercede on their behalf.

The Apostle Paul also spoke about the sufferings of Christ in Philippians 3:10: “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.” There we see that we are partakers of the suffering of Christ, and God gives us grace for that. Also in Romans chapter 8:16-17, we read, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.” Now listen: “if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” Then in verse 18 he says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” How wonderful is that. One day it will be worth it all!!!!

In 1 Peter 5:10 we read: “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” As we read the passage of Scripture in Philippians 1:7, Paul is thinking, speaking, and emphasizing that you are partakers of this grace with him in his suffering—as if chained with him. My friend, God does give us the grace we need when we face suffering—when we go through pain, problems, difficulties, and challenges.

And when we join in that suffering with fellow believers—by interceding for them, showing compassion, letting them know we are praying for them and thinking about them—that is exactly what Paul is saying: “I am thinking about you. I have you in my heart. And understand, you are partakers with me in my suffering, in my chains.” That is how we encourage one another, and that is how we help each other become better saints for the glory of God and for His honor.

Oh, my friend, these are things we should think about: partakers of grace together. We need each other in His grace.

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!