Saturday, August19: Philippians 4- The importance of getting along.

       How important is getting along in the church and being of one mind (which we learned from chapter 2 means being of one mind with Jesus)? It must be very important because Paul addresses two women, pleading for them to get along and for others to help them.

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life (2-3).

There is no doubt that these are women of faith. Their names are written in the book of life and they have contended at Paul’s side. In other words they are visible, faithful coworkers who are associated with Paul and his work.

Their association with Paul gives him some leverage and possibly even some responsibility to see if he can repair whatever the damage may be. This is precisely what Paul does.

First he calls on the two women to seek repair by following the principle he laid out in Chapter 2 … to be of one mind that is the mind of Christ.

Next he calls out to his ‘true companion’, whoever that might be, to help the women and for this person to seek the additional help of Clement and others if needed.

Paul is pulling out all the stops. Unity and these two women, repairing whatever damage lies between them, is that important!

Broken relationships, particularly those within the church, need attention…

Do you have any broken relationships that need repair?

Are you aware of any broken relationships in your fellowship? Now do you have an association, which might allow you to help effect repair? If you don’t have an association you can always pray for them. Unity is that important.

Lord, I pray for Your church. That we, the people of Your church, would seek to be of one mind –the mind of Christ. That we would repair damage and live as one people blessed by our God and beacons of light for You in our dark and hurting world. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.