In My Heart

DEVOTION

PHILIPPIANS


IN MY HEART

Phil 1:7-8

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.
NIV

Being thankful for another believer is the reason I see Paul saying it is right for him to feel this way. It is right for me to feel this way toward other believers, it is right to feel an attitude of thanksgiving to God for them. The statement which may cause me to sit and reflect for a moment or so is “Since I have you in my heart”. What is it that is in my heart?

The scripture which declares God will give me the desires of my heart Psalm 20:4 and 21:2 would imply as I desire for the things of God; He is gracious and gives with joy to me those things. Is it the desire of my heart to have for myself, or is it the desire of my heart to be thankful for my fellow believers because they, not my own self, are in the core of my heart? And this feeling, this having them in the center of my heart is not dependent on the condition of my life or the condition of theirs. I can certainly feel well about those who have less then me and seek God’s best for them, but can I feel and desire God’s blessing on those who have more then me? Do I alter my love and desire for others to share in the Grace of God based on my position in the body or theirs? The answer should surely be no!