Become like minded
I implore Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Philippians 4:2
I want to go back a couple of verses in chapter 4 of Philippians and talk about a dispute that was taking place in the church at Philippi. It seems that two ladies were in a conflict and holding on to a grudge with one another. Paul starts out this chapter begging these two ladies to come into agreement with each other in the LORD. He tells them to be of the same mind, like minded. We really don’t know what the argument was about or who was right or wrong. So the facts were not the issue. It was all about them loving one another and coming into agreement in the things of the LORD. Why were these two ladies so important to Paul? We can see the answer in verse 3 as he continues to urge others to help these ladies who labored with him in ministry. Previously, these ladies had ministered with Paul and obviously blessed him. The tone of these verses display the pain in Paul’s heart as he hears about their disagreement. Paul then presents a list of solutions to all disagreements. He says:
- Rejoice in the LORD
- Show gentleness to all
- Don’t be anxious or worried
- In everything pray
- Give thanks and tell your request to God
Lastly in verse 7 it says after you do all these things the peace of God will come and pass up all your understanding and it will guard your heart and mind. This can only be accomplished through your salvation in Christ Jesus. Then he goes on to talk about what you should be thinking to avoid having the bitterness of arguments steal your peace like it was stealing the peace of these ladies. It is the preventative medicine of guarding what thoughts you allow to occupy your mind.
This reminds me of two other ladies in the bible that had a dispute. Sisters, in fact. Mary and Martha. In the book of Luke chapter 10, Jesus was visiting a family in Bethany. A family of two sisters. As Jesus taught all those who were there at the time, one sister, Mary, sat at His feet to listen and learn. Her thoughts were fixed on Him and knowing Him more. The other sister, Martha, was busy and distracted with making everything perfect for her guest and she was overwhelmed with the work. Instead of considering that Jesus had previously fed 5000 people with a very small amount of food and could probably handle provision for that day too, her thoughts were fixed on “why wasn’t her sister helping her?” She allowed this thought to remain until she could no longer contain herself. She interrupted Jesus’ teaching to tell on her sister and expected that Jesus would reprimand Mary and tell her to help with the serving. Jesus’ response was “only one thing is needful (important) and Mary has chosen that one thing . . . sitting with Jesus!” Jesus was encouraging Martha to be like minded in the things of the LORD.
What about you, what are you thinking on? Do you get distracted with the news, fears and the business of those around you? Do you have ill will toward anyone because they are not doing things the way you think they should be done? Or worse, are you holding a grudge or bitter resentment against a fellow believer because you disagreed with them in some way? I beg you to turn that around today. Ask yourself and the LORD if there is anyone that you are resentful toward then ask Him to forgive and restore that relationship. Be willing to take any steps he speaks to your heart to heal those relationships. Lastly, begin to think on and fix your thoughts on things above. Then the peace of God will fill you and keep you! Live in God’s peace today by keeping your mind and heart fixed on Him. Lastly, encourage others to be like minded!
Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 4:1-7
The Daily Dose 