Discipleship is the intersection of our vision to be a community who is Radical in Love, Real in Relationships, and Rooted in Christ. But what do we mean here at River Rock when we say disciple? It starts with the word alongside. Discipleship is walking alongside others as they are transformed by the gospel, pursue Jesus, and live out his mission.
Paul pivots to a sticky issue next: unity. Paul desires to see the church in Philippi rally together to love and serve the community around them in the name of Jesus. Paul reminds them that the source of that unity is found not in causes or topics, but in the love and grace that Jesus has extended to them, and they are not called to extend to others.
In the second half of Philippians 1, Paul gives a brief update about his own life. He is in prison for sharing Jesus with non-Jewish people, and it is possible his punishment might be death. Yet he quickly pivots to another update: he is sharing Jesus with his guards, and those around him. Paul leans into this idea, that we get to follow Jesus. And that whatever life throws at us, we have the opportunity to live for Jesus.
In much of our lives, we rush to finish projects, get a promotion, or reach the next something. That same mentality can leak into our faith if we are not careful. In Philippians 1 we are reminded that God is up to something in each of us, and that faith is a process of being formed by God, not a destination or project to reach.