Paul is writing chapter 4 about relationships and the importance of our relationships with one another. As I read the Word these last few months I’ve really noticed that this is truly something the Lord is trying to teach me about my relationship with him and others. It is how the World will know we are disciples of Christ (John 13:34-35). It is also how the lost will be drawn to Christ by how we treat one another as believers. (John 17:20-21 : Jesus is praying and asking that as His disciples go out and into the world that because of their unity the world would believe. )
So today as you read Phil 4. Keep in mind that Paul starts this out by addressing the problem with two sisters, Euodia and Syntyche, and he asks them to live in harmony. Notice he doesn’t ask them to do anything more than just to live in Harmony.
Think about this word Harmony: when two things come together – forming a pleasing and consistent whole. Or think of it this way, 2 coming together simultaneously to produce something with a pleasing effect.
Paul writes to one brother and asks him to please work to help these sisters to work out their problems. He gives them some suggestions on how they can live in harmony.
• They need to work hard to settle their disagreements
o Phil. 4:2
• Be people of peace- sometimes it requires another person to help mediate and that person maybe you. We need to be willing to step in and help others see the importance of living in harmony with one another as believers in Christ.
o Phil. 4:3
Paul also continues with what you can do personally to accomplish this:
• Always be full of Joy in the Lord
• Being considerate of one another
o Considerate means : Being careful to not cause inconvenience or hurt to others.
• Remember the Lord is returning soon
o Phil. 4:4-5
• Don’t worry or think on things instead just pray about everything
• Tell God what you need and remember to be thankful for everything He has already done in your life.
o Phil. 4:6
Paul begins to close with this :
“And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right , whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things”
Phil 4:7-8
I think this is so important to remember that we need to major on the things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute , excellence and worthy of praise… these are the things we need to be thinking about when we think of one another.
I know some of you are thinking well, what about the sister/brother who has said or done something wrong against me? Or is living in sin and you know about it? What then? Well, you need to carry out the Matt. 18:15-20 which Jesus set as our example of how we ought to handle conflict. There are going to be problems that will arise but how we chose to deal with them makes all the difference with the outcome.
Our desire should be to live at peace with all men not to be in conflict or broken relationships, especially with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, my prayer this week is that as we carry out our day to day events that we would be reminded of Phil 4: 1-9. Let our relationships with each one another as believers be such that we draw the lost to want to know WHY WE ARE SO DIFFERENT!
Lord, help me to not be critical of others, help me to think on the things that are true, right, pure and honorable. Help us all to be faithful and peaceable to one another as Your children. I pray that we would have hearts that give thanks to You for what you’ve already done in our lives and that we would remember that You return is coming and that we need to be ready and not be ashamed when You come. May we run this race with endurance and Lord, may we all be found to be faithful servants….
It is in Your name I pray
The Name of Jesus,
Amen………………
No comments:
Post a Comment