Philippians 4:1-3
Be United
Last week, Paul used the analogy of running a race to talk about living the Christian life. He called us` to the endurance and focus of a top-level runner.
He reminded us that we will need to get rid of the things` that hold us back if we are going to run well – things like the things in our life that we think should really impress God, and things like the things that we know are wrong in our lives.
The writer to the Hebrews says something very similar:
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
In this passage he deals with one of those things that is holding the community back from running as well as they could. But before we get to this, Paul has this word of encouragement.
The Chapter break should not be at 4:1 – verse one is a conclusion to the previous passage about ledgers and races and citizenship. But he invites us to stand firm.
The command sounds like a military command to stand one’s ground in the midst of an enemy attack.
There are some of us that forget that we are in a battle – it is a battle for our Soul, and for the Kingdom of God – not a call to a religious war against people who believe differently than us, but a call to do battle against “sinful desires, which war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11
Ephesians 6:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
We are often at the risk of being tempted one way or the other – either toward religious pride, or toward letting our appetite for more take over. Paul says it’s a battle & we have to stand.
If Paul is the commander encouraging his troops, he is encouraging them, and us, out a deep love –
Paul is no stoic: he says to them, “You whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown!” These are words usually reserved for your beloved child, or you lover, not a Church! But we need to remember that Paul started this church in Philippi, it is his baby, and they have been doing really well in the face of opposition.
Really well, except for two of them: Euodia and Syntyche. You’ve seen it happen before – two good friends working side by side together for years – then one is having a bad day and says something that offends the other, the other responds harshly as well, and now they are both offended – a week later the hate each other and they may not even remember the first offence!
Paul begs them to reconcile, and asks a friend to intervene for a few reasons:
He loves them both – like a father with the desire to see his children get along. As Paul loves them both, they should remember the love that they had for each other.
For the sake of the work of the Gospel
These two women had contended at Paul’s side
Side note, Paul treats these women as equals to the men in their work for the Gospel
Just as any army must be unified in order to win a battle, we need to be unified as a body if we are going to fight against the evil in our own lives and in the world around us.
He calls them to be of one mind – the mind of Christ – it calls to mind the passage at the beginning of chapter 2:
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a human being,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Many of these disagreements that happen in the church are over power issue – Paul calls us to unity in Christ, who gave up power to save us.
Our unity is so important to the spreading of the Gospel – Jesus says that this is the way that people will know that we are his disciples – if we have love for one another.
Jesus spends his last minutes with his disciples before he is arrested and crucified, praying for them, ad begging them (and us) to be unified. That is how important it is.
Because your names are written in the book of life – get the big picture
- an understanding of what God has forgiven you for – Parable of the unforgiving servant
- Giving up the stuff that is holding us back so that we might attain the resurrection – not just the spiritual pride, not just the obvious sins, but the disagreements and judgments that we have with Christian brothers and sisters. – give them up for the sake of the resurrection
- It is like running a relay and holding back the baton from the next runner because you’re not too fond of them – you loose the race because you can’t get along with your teammate!
None of us have ever acted like Euodia or Syntyche right – giving up on a relationship because of some offence? Never.
What to do…
Remember God’s love for yourself & them
Remember the importance of the work of the gospel – have the goal in mind
Remember that no offence against you can take away your status
Give up your status – have the mind of Christ
Be HTO – Hard To Offend
Grant mercy first – cut each other some slack
When offence has truly happened, forgive fast – forgiveness rather than excuse
Forgive first
Have the same mind
