Committed to Godly Partnerships
Paul’s words to Philemon really have a lot to say to us. In verse 6 he says this: “I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.” (Philemon 1:6 NIV11)
This word ‘partnership’ is what caught me as I read this verse. Paul and Philemon were partners in a way. They were committed to the same cause, and worked together to make it happen.
Our lives are full of partnerships. As individuals, we choose our partners in various parts of our lives – be it a romantic partner, a business partner, a friend who is a kind of partner to us. We often joke about good friends being ‘partners in crime’ don’t we – but really, wouldn’t it be better to be partners in faith like Paul and Philemon, rather than partners in crime?
Partners in Faith
The Christian life is infinitely better when we partner with other Christians. Close relationships with fellow Christians who pray for you and with you, and talk about faith matters with you regularly – these are precious friendships. So, first question today: who are you partnering with in your Christian journey? Who is the Paul to your Philemon? Or the Philemon to your Paul? Don’t try to walk the walk of faith without some strong partners alongside you. This is why church is so important, and it’s also why small groups are important – we can often find the type of partners in faith we need in those sorts of settings.
But let’s also remember that the greatest partnership in our lives should be the partnership between us and God. A story if told of a man named Pam Chick, who was long a drunkard. He was in business, but his business suffered. Then there was a change in his personal appearance and in the appearance of his store. New stock was added; the building was painted. Finally a new sign was put up which read: “Pam Chick and Partner.”
There was much curiosity about the identity of this new partner. When asked about it, Pam Chick just smiled! At first people thought that anyone entering into a partnership with Pam Chick was crazy, but time passed and the business began to prosper. Who is this partner? the people all whispered among themselves. How did he bring such change in Pam Chick’s life?
Life-Changing Partnership
Some time later Pam Chick unfortunately died. And it came out then that the Partner that had so changed his life was Jesus Christ. To help himself grasp the fact that he had entered into partnership with the Lord when he became a Christian, Pam Chick had painted that sign in his business window and had turned everything in his life – business and all – to his new Partner, as he would have done with an ordinary partner, if he had had him.
And so neighbors and friends learned that the secret of the transformed life of the former drunk was His Partnership with the Saviour.
Choose your partners wisely in this life. And don’t forget the greatest Partner of all – Jesus – who can transform any life by His grace.
