Week 7 - Partners in Unity in the Church

Philippians 4:2-9
Romans 15:1-13

Has someone in authority ever called you on the carpet in public? Was it someone you really respected? Did you deserve it? How did you handle it internally? Was Christ your righteousness, or were you defensive and needed to have yourself a pity party for a little while?

I’ve been imagining a little what it must have been like when Epaphroditus brought back Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. He’s calling out Euodia and Syntyche before the whole church because somebody let Paul know that they were not in sync. In his gentle way he is still admonishing them, and urging them to seek agreement in Jesus. We don’t really know how the story ends, but I can guess. I’m going to guess that this disagreement between the two of them starts to look small when they compare it to standing with Paul in times of persecution (Acts 6&7) and in struggling against opponents (1:27). It is obvious that Paul esteems these women, and has no doubt about their belief, their faith and growth, and their labor for the advancement of the gospel.

It could be that the next couple of verses are applicable to the same situation. Let’s reverse some order just for fun, and put verse 4 at the end of 5-7, like this:

“Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” 

Paul could have added whatever is “gracious” to his list of virtues in this letter. It is certainly a trait we need in our dealings with each other.

I absolutely cannot close out this week’s lesson without stressing “but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” [v.6] Without Him, without His Spirit, there can be no reconciliation, no virtue, and no true gratitude. We are constantly told in His Word that we don’t have because we don’t ask. May we be constant seekers of peace, and the virtues Paul reminds us to practice.