Philippians 4:2-3 - "Standing Together in Unity"

Welcometo Pastor's Chat. Yesterday we heard Paul's loving appeal: "Stand fastin the Lord." Today Paul shows us one of the greatest ways we standfirm as believers—by maintaining unity with one another.Listento his words in Philippians 4:2-3: "I beseech Euodias, and beseechSyntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also,true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, withClement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book oflife." Atfirst glance, these verses may seem like a brief personal note tucked away inPaul's letter. But the Holy Spirit preserved them for a reason. Even in one ofthe healthiest churches in the New Testament, there were misunderstandingsbetween believers. Paul names two faithful women—Euodias and Syntyche. We arenot told what their disagreement was, and I believe there is wisdom in that.The issue itself was not nearly as important as the need for reconciliation. Noticesomething else. Paul does not take sides. He doesn't say one woman was rightand the other was wrong. Instead, he lovingly urges both of them, "Beof the same mind in the Lord." That phrase should sound familiar.Throughout Philippians, Paul has emphasized unity that grows out of humility.In chapter 2 he wrote, "Let nothing be done through strife orvainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better thanthemselves." Then he pointed us to the greatest example of unity andhumility—the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Thesolution to most conflicts among believers is not that one person wins and theother loses. The solution is that both become more like Christ. When our eyesare fixed on Him, many of the things that divide us begin to lose theirimportance. Paul then asks a "true yokefellow" (a truecompanion) to help these women. A yoke joins two oxen together so they can pullthe same load. Paul calls upon a trusted believer to come alongside them andhelp restore fellowship. Thereis a wonderful lesson here. Sometimes mature Christians can help bring healingwhere relationships have become strained. Galatians 6:1 reminds us, "Brethren,if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an onein the spirit of meekness." Notice also how Paul speaks of thesewomen. He says they "labored with me in the gospel." Thesewere not troublemakers. They were faithful servants. They had worked besidePaul in sharing the Gospel. Isn't it encouraging to know that even faithfulChristians can sometimes disagree? Remember Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15. Thechurch has never been made up of perfect people. It has always been made up offorgiven people who are learning to walk together in the grace of God. Paulalso mentions Clement and "other my fellow laborers, whose names are inthe book of life." What a beautiful reminder! Our names are written inthe same book. We are all members of the same family. We are serving the sameSavior. We are going to spend eternity together. That ought to encourage us toseek peace with one another now. Thedevil delights in division. Christ delights in unity. Psalm 133 begins, "Behold,how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Myfriend, is there someone with whom you need to be reconciled? Is there amisunderstanding that needs to be settled? Is there forgiveness that needs tobe extended? Don't let small disagreements become large divisions.  RememberPaul's appeal: "Be of the same mind in the Lord." When wehumble ourselves before Christ, love one another, and keep the Gospel first,God strengthens His church, and the world sees the reality of His love.