Fellow-Comrades in Christ

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Romans 16:7

Paul travelled many times alone in the service of King Jesus. But thanks be to the Lord for there are 7000 who have not bowed down to Baal, nor have worshipped and kissed his feet. Elijah felt alone in the ministry but God reminded him that he was not the only one who is serving: there are more people, who have in their hearts and life testimony, showed that they were true to God.

Andronicus and Junia were such individuals to the apostle Paul. They were Christians dedicated to the Cause of Christ and the support of God’s servant. Notice three things about these two individuals:

They Were Kinsmen Of Paul. They were possibly from the same nation, but certainly they were kinsmen in Christ, brothers in Christ. Paul knew them as kinsmen, relative by blood. As believers in Christ, our foundation is Christ, our plea is His blood, our connection is love, our relationship is sealed in Christ because of His work on the cross.

Is that not a beautiful and encouraging note to know that in this world, we are not alone? Yes, we have the Saviour who will never leave us, but we also have His children, God’s people as our kinsmen in this world, as our brothers in Christ, as our support in need and as our help in times of tribulation in this world.

They Were Also Fellow Prisoners With Paul. We are brothers by the blood of Christ, but we are also One in mission and cause. It is our Saviour’s commission to the church, and we who are in the assembly, must be united in this one purpose: to win the world for Christ, one at a time. The service of Christ sometimes brings sacrifice, and obstacles, it brings pain and sorrow, because of loss. Yet, the tie of love between Paul and these two men are unbroken. They are brethren by blood, and in suffering for His sake, they are one too. They were fellow prisoners, they shared a cell together in the service for Christ.

Their Lives Were Testimonies For Christ. They are of note among the apostles and in this context, they were well spoken of by the apostles. They were remarkable, eminent and had a good reputation by their lives and testimony. Brethren who encouraged one another will live for Him and Him alone. Their lives shone like jewels reflecting the light of the Sun , and as believers, they reflected the glory of God to the watching world, and they were bright testimonies of encouraging for the believers, and in this instance, even the apostles.

Does your Christian life shine? Do we recognise our brotherhood in Christ? Our comradeship in ministry and our testimony for the world?

Andronicus and Junia, both brothers in the Lord, and fellow prisoners for the Lord Jesus with Paul. To the world, what a waste of talent and lives. Yet, to the Lord, they had victory in Christ, victory in this life – Andronicus means a man of victory.

Lord, may Ambassador be an army of people of victory, as she fights as One Man for You.

Written by: Pastor Johnny Tan