Today’s Scripture: Philippians 1-4
You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure. – 1 Thessalonians 2:1
Dawson Trotman used to tell about picking up a hitchhiker who got into his car and promptly used the Lord’s name in vain. As Dawson talked to this young man and explained the gospel to him, he felt they had met somewhere before. It turned out that one year before, Daws had led him in prayer to receive Jesus Christ. Here he was, a year later, with no evidence of the new life in Christ within him.
This bothered Dawson, and as he prayed about it and studied the Scriptures, he was convinced of the importance of follow-up in the life of every new believer.
One of the passages underlying Dawson’s conviction was Philippians 2:14-16: “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life–in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”
How could Paul talk about running and laboring for nothing when, back in 1 Corinthians 15:58, he said that his labor was not in vain in the Lord? These Philippians had been converted to Christ and were part of the local church in Philippi. Then why on earth was Paul talking about laboring for nothing? Because he knew that the Great Commission of Jesus Christ could be fulfilled only if every Philippian believer grew to maturity and did his part.
To see someone come to Christ is only the beginning. Let us take the same attitude of responsibility toward new believers that Paul felt toward the Philippians.
Prayer
Lord, give me a heart of love and a desire to help new believers to be built up in the faith. Amen.
To Ponder
Is there a younger believer you could help to grow?
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