I’m absolutely fascinated with community, and in the book of Philippians, Paul gives one of the best pictures that I know of real Christ-centered, faithful community.
Here, the reality is that it’s not found in the middle of an easy place. The picture he paints is one of fellow believers agonizing together.
As I’ve dived into the original Greek words and meanings, I came away with this: contenders.
We are contenders for the faith and the good news of Jesus Christ. We are in it together, standing side by side, struggling together, walking together, fighting alongside each other, contending for the gospel.
In the light of this imagery, we can understand why our unity in community is so important and so necessary for our walk. We’re not in this alone. We were never intended to walk this journey in isolation or just try to get through it on our own.
We need others. We need help, and we need to be walking alongside of each other, praying diligently, working tirelessly, obeying consistently, trusting God to produce fruit from the salvation He’s given us and advance the gospel and bring honor to Christ through our lives, both individually and collectively.
So what does this look like?
Watching the new character produced in our life by Jesus Christ begin to shape the following key areas of community:
– Expecting and hoping that we will be unashamed
– Continuing to be bold for Christ
– Living worthy of the Gospel—citizens of heaven
– Fighting for the gospel
– Struggling together
– Agreeing wholeheartedly, loving each other, and working together with one mind and purpose
– Having the attitude of Christ
– Participating in the fruit of our salvation, produced within us
– Shining like bright lights
– Cooperating with God, responding to Him, participating with Him, and obeying and trusting Him, and offering our lives to God
As I’ve read through these key areas, they all seem to point in one direction, which was honestly surprising to me: joy.
The fruit of this collective effort, or contention, can be found in joy, even in the most difficult of situations.
Even when circumstances are challenging, even when the struggles are real, even when our bodies are broken and life is hard, joy can ultimately be found when we are contending for Christ together, in community, in participation with each other, and experiencing the good fruit that He is producing within us and witnessing the power of Christ impacting the lives and hearts of those around us.
This is Christian joy. This is Christian community. This is contending.
We are Contenders.
–Alex Gerber, September 12, 2026