Philippians 4:1-3 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Paul tells the church, his joy and crown, that they should stand in the manner he has just described to them, by following his example with their minds on heavenly things, remembering all that Christ has done for them. Then he brings up Euodia and Syntyche, saying he pleads with these two to agree with each other in the Lord. Whether they have had a disagreement concerning a spiritual matter or an argument over some matter outside of the church, Paul knows their discord detracts from the harmony of the body of Christ. He wants them to settle their differences, and he lets them know they should be at peace with each other. He further asks their brothers and sisters in Christ who have aided him in the cause of the gospel to assist these women in a reconciliation. He mentions the reality that all of their names are written in the book of life, perhaps a sobering reminder to these workers for the Lord as they deal with a problem of the flesh. Some of the people Paul is writing to helped him evangelize in Philippi and were part of the church from the beginning. They know his heart for God and the importance he places on godly living. As he has already told them in this letter, he presses on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) There would not be any room in his mind or heart for bad feelings over some squabble or disagreement with someone in the church. If there was a problem in a church, Paul would want to settle it quickly and not create a separation, for his mind would be set on spiritual things. Paul would honor the words of Jesus who said: Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23-24) He has given these followers of Christ sound teaching, and he would expect them to put it into practice.
One aspect of this passage of scripture that stands out is the importance of the body of Christ in the daily life of a believer. Paul tells Euodia and Syntyche that he wants them to make peace with each other, but he does not drop the matter with this admonition. He wants to make sure he has done all he can to help these two who are experiencing difficulties in reaching a place of unity. Therefore, he calls the church to come to their aid. Paul understands the body of Christ: he knows we all need each other to survive and prosper in our faith journey. In Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus, we read about the gifts God gives to the church by placing apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers in the body to help the people grow until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13) This is God's plan to bless his people and to provide nourishment and strength for the church. He did not intend for his people to abide in isolation. His will is that they function as the body of Christ on Earth, a place where the Spirit of God dwells and where sinners are saved and lives are changed forever. Speaking of the body of Christ at another time, Paul mentions there are many spiritual gifts given to people by the Holy Spirit, including wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, discernment, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Even though each gift is important and valuable to the church, Paul explains: The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. Paul goes on to say that while each part of the body is important, one part is not more important than the rest, and one part cannot say to another part that it is not needed because every part is needed. As he writes, If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. We do well to remember his conclusion, If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12:12, 19, 26-27) Consequently, Paul was not meddling in the lives of the church members when he asked them to help those who were in conflict. He was asking those with spiritual gifts to use those gifts to settle a problem, so the church could go forward peacefully.
Of course, we all can think of situations where today's verses apply. Perhaps we have a grievance with another person or we know someone in our church body who is struggling in a relationship that needs mending. Maybe the Holy Spirit nudged you as you were reading this breakfast. You might simply have someone you have been avoiding on Sunday mornings. You have decided you don't need that part of the body. The Spirit may be saying to you that we all need each other. Sometimes the people we think we do not want to associate with turn out to be special people in our lives. What is important is that we listen to the Holy Spirit, to that still small voice that speaks truth to us. Our son, Doug, is our pastor. He says if you have a question in your life and need an answer, just ask God, and He will answer you. Let's say, you are wondering if you have offended your sister, and you want to know wether you should ask her forgiveness. Doug would say you should pray to God: "Lord, should I ask my sister if I offended her, yes or no?" Then listen carefully, and you will hear a yes or a no. It is quite amazing how often you do hear a yes or a no when you pray this prayer. Mom believes the Lord has led her many times when she has done this. We should not be surprised that God would answer such a prayer, for we read in the Word, If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5) We should all take advantage of the giftings in the body of Christ. There are people in the church who will pray for us for wisdom, healing, help and so on. We have friends at church who want to encourage us in our difficulties and trials, but so often we rush out the church doors at the close of the service without any time for ministry or fellowship with other believers. The Bible says, But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 John 1:7) We all are blessed to walk in the light of the love of God, but are we experiencing the fellowship of other Christians? Are we allowing brothers and sisters to help us and are we using our gifts to encourage and help others? Today is a new day to walk in the Lord's favor and to shower that favor on someone else. Bless you dear ones.
No comments:
Post a Comment