One cannot read Paul's epistle to the brethren at Philippi without recognizing the deep love he had for those brethren. In tender words expressing the depth of that love for them, the apostle said, "I have you in my heart" (Phil. 1:7). Every memory of them was a cause for joy and thanksgiving unto God (Phil. 1:3-4). He could speak with assurance about them:
Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ
What was the basis of this love and confidence felt by Paul towards the saints at Philippi? The text shows it was their common commitment towards the truth and the cause of Christ. The brethren at Philippi were "partakers" with Paul "in the defense and confirmation of the gospel" (Phil. 1:7). Throughout the letter, he notes the unwavering commitment to God's truth and to the Master's service which cemented their relationship. That mutual love for the truth and the cause of Christ made their loving attachment a certainty though separated by some distance at the time of the epistle's writing.
The epistles of 2nd John and 3rd John show the same reason for John's love of the elect lady and her children as well as Gaius -- "whom I love in truth" (2 Jn. 1-3; 3 Jn. 1-4). It was a source of unparalleled joy for the apostle John to hear of "my children walking in the truth." There is a natural love that exists between brethren in Christ whose first love is for Christ and His gospel. Other passages could be used to further detail this connection, but these are enough to clearly establish the principle.
After three weeks working amidst my Filipino brethren, my heart has forever been changed by them and a large part of it remains in the Philippine Islands. This is not written to suggest my heart has been estranged from brethren here with a similar love for the Lord and His truth, but to introduce you to brethren I hope you will keep in your heart as well. We have brothers and sisters across the globe who speak different languages and live in a different culture, but they love and serve the same Lord and long for the same heavenly home we seek. Yes, I was glad to get back home to my family here, but I was touched by my Filipino brethren in a way that has brought them forever within my heart. When Chris led "Bless Be The Tie" on Wednesday night, tears came to my eyes as I thought of those halfway around the world whom I love because of their sincere and sacrificial love for Christ, His truth and His cause.
Maybe a couple of excerpts of letters from Filipino brethren would help you to see the same commitment in them which I saw. Many of their lives are filled with unbelievable hardships which they bear in unswerving faith. Here is one letter from a brother newly converted out of an Islamic tribal group:
We thank the Lord for all the things that he has done in our lives. We thank him even for his faithfulness and goodness to us. Especially for the privilege of being a member of the church of Christ.
I had been baptized last Wednesday October 30 here in Malita at Mariwasa Church of Christ. Brother Jolly Julom immersed us witness in many preachers from Digos and General Santos City. Above all I am very thankful for brother Socarno B. Cabca for me to understand the true doctrine of Christ.
I had been a Hadji in such Islamic religion particularly in Muslim area, and yet I was not certain of my salvation. But I thank the lord when I meet my friends bro.Socarno b. Cabca and when they share me the true doctrine of Christ and their belief, then that was the time I understand the real meaning of being a true Christian. Therefore I finally decided to really give my whole life in the service for the Lord.
Brother at this time I am living in the very danger situation because many of my relative got angry to me when I finally decided to received water baptism into Christ. In our religion Islamic or Muslim, if the members of our group separated and go beyond our tribal doctrine, automatically they were separated in our tribe [which is] Muslim, but our older find way to kill us. That why we reject our own [tribal] doctrine.
Brother we are requesting all of you as my new brother in the body of Christ to please pray for our whole family that God keep us safety life. At this time, we fell unsecured. Once again please pray for the divine protection upon my family thank you and may God richly bless all of you.
Some have asked whether these conversions are lasting or whether the converts soon fall away leaving no lasting results for the cause of Christ. The following excerpt from a letter written to me by brother Julie Notarte, a faithful and diligent preacher in southern Mindanao where the above baptism took place, may be helpful in answering the question:
There are no any brethren who are giving study materials on these congregations. 95 to 98% of these brethren are indigents. Most of these congregations are located in critical areas where there are so many Muslim Rebels or Communists Party of the Philippines. The turmoil or encounters between the Government troops & rebels started on 1973 here in our area.
The first congregation established of these more than 300 congregations started on 1971 by my father Ruben C. Notarte who died on July 2, 1979. On 1973 there were already about seven or more congregations established but about five church buildings were burned by the Muslim rebels. There were mass evacuations for several months almost every year but the more the brethren were very hard up for their food & medicines, etc. The more they were closer to God & very much interested in hearing the truth. And at this time it seems that it is unbelievable that the number of congregations reaches more than 300. Most of these congregations have about 40 to 100 members. There are about 10 to 15 congregations that have about 200 to 300 members. Less than 40 congregations have 10 to 40 members.
I will send to you later some of my monthly reports regarding the work of our Lord here in our area. I will depart for Samal Island about 3 hours later where one of the very faithful elders of Taclobo church of Christ was beheaded by the Communists Party of the Philippines in 1987. But the said place now is already quite safe. Please pray for our safe trip. I must close now. You are always in our prayers.
It is one thing to confess the Lord when there is freedom to do so without threat of retaliation, but such a confession manifests full commitment when it means someone will try to kill us. Or how about the denominational preachers who are being baptized into Christ? It is one thing to obey the gospel when one's livelihood is not affected, but obedience that comes at the price of losing the salary sustaining one's family while knowing that no monetary compensation will accompany that salvation manifests a love for God above the things of this world. That level of commitment is what I saw repeatedly over the past few weeks -- sometimes evidenced by men who obeyed the truth in front of the very men from the denominational boards that cut off their salary immediately. For those brethren who have manifested their steadfastness for some time and are now receiving some support for preaching the gospel, their commitment to work diligently in the kingdom of our Lord encouraged me to do more to spread the gospel message. They are tireless workers in sometimes hazardous places whose love for the Lord and His truth have implanted them into my heart. I have been blessed in coming to know them and look forward to being with them again. Please let them into your heart as well and pray for them every day.