Today’s devotion is based on Philippians 1:1-11: Joy in the Journey: Week 1 (WATCH HERE)
Philippians 1:7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Grace connects hearts.
Friendships are built around many things. Maybe some of your friends enjoy the same type of activities you enjoy – fishing, golfing, cooking, or camping. Maybe some of your friends are built around common experiences and things you did together – classmates, coworkers, or team mates on a sports team. Maybe some of your friends develop around common location such as neighbors.
Perhaps the litmus test of these type of friendships is if the friendship continues even when the activity, the experience, or the location changes. Are these friendships of convenience or friendships that stick no matter what the activity, experience or location?
You know when you are no longer in the activity together, or the impact of the experience has waned, or you move to a new location.
However, there is one gift from God that unites hearts across the miles, through different experiences and in spite of different interests. That gift is grace.
Paul loved the Philippians because they shared in God’s grace. Paul was a sinner who received the abundance of God’s grace. Paul was in Philippi and saw grace change Lydia’s heart and the jailor and his whole family. Grace moved them to belief and give their lives in service to the Lord.
The same is true today. Grace is a bond which connects people of all backgrounds and interests. Grace works a love for God and a deep love for others who have received grace and helped you to share that grace.
Notice Paul’s phrase, “all of you share in God’s grace with me.” Grace isn’t something we keep to ourselves. It flows freely among believers. It’s not earned, and it’s not scarce. God’s grace is abundant and inclusive. And when we live in that grace, we begin to see others differently—not through the lens of annoyance, judgment, or competition, but through the “affection of Christ Jesus.”
Paul longed for them—not in a shallow, emotional way—but with the very love of Jesus Himself. That’s the kind of love that flows when grace is our foundation. Christ’s affection compels us to bear with each other, encourage one another, and sacrificially serve each other. In a world where relationships are often transactional or fleeting, grace fosters enduring, Christ-centered connection.
This is why Christ’s church is built on grace. It’s why we need to be part of a Christian community. We need relationships built on a common need for grace and a common gift of grace. God’s people aren’t perfect and the lack of grace may be keeping people away from the community of believers.
But Paul’s words are a great encouragement and reminder. Let’s be a person of grace, connected to a community of grace, that lives with and views others through the lens of grace.
This way we will desire to be with that community of grace and long for it when we are away.
Apply: If you are not connected to a community centered on God’s grace, make a commitment to find one now. (Visit crosspointgtx.com for more information.) If you are part of our Crosspoint community, make a commitment to love people with the love of Jesus and be part of fostering a genuine community of believers built on and held together by God’s grace!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your grace that not only connects me with my heavenly Father, but with all his children who have received his grace. AMEN.