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Let’s Work Together
June 18
Read Philippians 4:2-3 (ESV)
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Reflect
What are the potential impacts of disunity within a body of believers?
Imagine that your name goes down in history. Pretty cool, right? What’s even more awesome is that your name is in the record books as a coworker of a highly influential missionary! You didn’t just know them but it is documented that you worked alongside them. People for generations will see your name and think, “Wow, it’s so cool that they had that opportunity!”
Now, imagine that there was only one other detail that future generations will know about you. It has gone down in history that you were fighting with another brother or sister in Christ. It is forever recorded that you were having a disagreement with a co-laborer in the Gospel of peace. That’s pretty cringe-worthy, isn’t it?
In today’s verses, that is what was recorded about two women, Euodia and Syntyche. They were having a disagreement about something. We don’t know what these women were fighting about but it must have been causing significant division. We also know that these women were true believers. They weren’t just false converts coming in and stirring up trouble. Paul said that they were among his fellow workers in the Gospel and that they had their names listed in the book of life as do all true believers. So Paul urged them to “agree in the Lord.”
Sadly, this dissension is commonplace in the body of Christ today. Believers start fighting amongst themselves and other believers start taking sides. Many churches have split over this kind of thing. I certainly don’t want my name to be remembered as one who fought with his brothers and sisters in Christ over trivial matters that caused discord.
But when believers fight amongst themselves, it isn’t just the reputation of our own names that we need to be concerned about. As Christians, our job isn’t to glorify our own names. Our job is to glorify the name of Christ. Being contentious does not rightly represent Christ to the watching world. When Christians can’t get along, we look just like the rest of the world and it damages the integrity of our witness.
The Philippian church wasn’t the only early church prone to infighting. Paul wrote something similar to the Corinthian church, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
It’s worth noting that Paul isn’t asking the church to get along at all costs. For example, he isn’t asking them to tolerate false teaching just for the sake of maintaining a facade of unity. There are numerous Scriptures in which Paul urges believers to stand firmly in the truth and he openly rebukes those who teach a message contrary to the Gospel. Rather, Paul is pleading with them to be so united in that true Gospel that they set aside their differences of opinion and personal preferences and stop fighting about trivial matters. They should be so focused on the core message of the Gospel that they are willing to cooperate in order to advance His Word.
Friends, as believers in Christ, we should be able to agree about the essentials of doctrine and the core message of Christianity. We should be able to unite in the Lord. Are you in the midst of a disagreement with a brother or sister in Christ? If so, I urge you to approach them and make it right today. Seek reconciliation. Not for the sake of your own name but for the glory of His.
Pray
Jesus, I want to glorify Your Name. I know that arguments and drama among believers can negatively impact our witness and distract us from focusing on what really matters—advancing Your Gospel. Help me to cooperate and live in harmony with my fellow believers. Amen.
~ Pastor Nat Crawford
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amen
Lord Jesus, I live for You and i want my name to be written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Make me to understand the true value of living in unity with my family in the Lord; help me to live in unity with Your church for the cause of Christ. Amen.
I was blessed by this DEVOTION! Thank you so much. May God continue using you for His Glory!👐💕🤗
Let us all remember we are of "One" sound mind, spirit, soul and body through Jesus Christ. Jesus made His Promises which remain today and Eternally. When we have a disagreement with someone, step away, walk away. Then pray on this issue God will give you the words to say with humbleness honesty and Forgiveness. Even if the Forgiveness is needed for you/us.
Psalm 29:11 KJV
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
We must let go completely giving surrendering all to Jesus, that is when true Peace begins, Trusting in Jesus. We are all sinners and fall short of The Glory of God. Oh but Thanks be to Jesus for our names are written on His Hands and The Book of Life. If our hearts are locked on Jesus we still may stumble but He will catch us with His Ritchous right hand. Lifting us back up into His Amazing Grace.
To remind us to leave the past behind to live in the moment to know as He said, we are never without Jesus.
Forgiveness begins with Jesus then forgiving ourselves which as Jesus say we must Forgive everyone no matter what! Is it easy no but our God is the same today and Eternally. When anger tries to arise shut it down in the name of Jesus with The Hope and Faith which is Him.
"Every time you think you're being rejected God's actually redirecting you to something better. Ask him to give you the strength to press forward."
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 (KJV)
"But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you."
"Let all that you do be done in love."
- 1 Corinthians 16:14
2 Timothy 2:2
2. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Our Heavenly Father Loved us first, remember We are Chosen! In all things lead with Love the Love of Jesus Christ. Then we will find ourselves drawing nearer to Jesus becoming more like Him.
Father I Pray You would Please Bless every Prayer request and meet their needs as only You can do, Lord remind everyone I pray to look up and know that You hear our every Prayer before we even pray for You know our every need, Father all things are possible in You let Thy True Peace fill us all, Thank You Lord for Your Faithfulness in Jesus name Amen
Psalm 29:11 KJV
The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
We must let go completely giving surrendering all to Jesus, that is when true Peace begins, Trusting in Jesus. We are all sinners and fall short of The Glory of God. Oh but Thanks be to Jesus for our names are written on His Hands and The Book of Life. If our hearts are locked on Jesus we still may stumble but He will catch us with His Ritchous right hand. Lifting us back up into His Amazing Grace.
To remind us to leave the past behind to live in the moment to know as He said, we are never without Jesus.
Forgiveness begins with Jesus then forgiving ourselves which as Jesus say we must Forgive everyone no matter what! Is it easy no but our God is the same today and Eternally. When anger tries to arise shut it down in the name of Jesus with The Hope and Faith which is Him.
"Every time you think you're being rejected God's actually redirecting you to something better. Ask him to give you the strength to press forward."
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:13 (KJV)
"But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you."
"Let all that you do be done in love."
- 1 Corinthians 16:14
2 Timothy 2:2
2. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Our Heavenly Father Loved us first, remember We are Chosen! In all things lead with Love the Love of Jesus Christ. Then we will find ourselves drawing nearer to Jesus becoming more like Him.
Father I Pray You would Please Bless every Prayer request and meet their needs as only You can do, Lord remind everyone I pray to look up and know that You hear our every Prayer before we even pray for You know our every need, Father all things are possible in You let Thy True Peace fill us all, Thank You Lord for Your Faithfulness in Jesus name Amen
1 reply
Great message thanks.