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Philippians 4:2-3
The Apostle Paul has eluded to the being of the same mind in Christ throughout this letter to the saints, bishops, and deacons in the church at Philippi (Philippians 1:1); their “fellowship in the gospel” (Philippians 1:5, NKJV); “that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27d); “fellowship of the Spirit. . . being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2); “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5); “let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind” (Philippians3:16c, d).
In Philippians 4:2 Paul brings to light the true focus of this letter as it appears that two of the leading women in the church at Philippi are at odds with one another in the sharing of the gospel. Paul has stated in Philippians 2:13-14, “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
“Do all things without complaining and disputing.” In Philippians 2:19 Paul notes that he intends to send Timothy to them that he may be encouraged for their growth in that Timothy can help them resolve their disputes as he pleads for the guidance of the body of the church in Philippians 2:20-21, “For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” Paul then urges the other saints of the church at Philippi to help these women as all their names are written in the Book of Life, which indicates that they all are children of God. He states in Philippians 4:3, “3And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”
This is a call to resolve disputes within the leadership of the Church and for all to be like-minded in Christ Jesus.
Could this division in the church at Philippi be the first sign of the coming division that has led to the many different denominations that make up the Christian Church today? I have faith that the Apostle Paul was able to resolve the disputes and divisions that he found in the church at Philippi. He was able to go to them, along with sending Timothy, his faithful companion (1 Corinthians 4:17) to “Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2c) in leading them to a resolution of their differences and being of a like-mind in Christ Jesus.
I wonder what the Apostle Paul would think if he were to walk into all our denominational churches today; would he see people with a like-mind in Christ? Or would he preach the same words to us all that he is pleading with those who are leading the church at Philippi some 2000 years ago?
We all have our differences as individual people, but we are to have the same like-mind in Christ Jesus to lead us through those differences as we are all one in Christ.
Dear LORD,
I believe that we are all seeking You in our lives to guide us and direct our paths in Christ. I also believe that we all have some amount of self-guidance that causes division and disputes among the denominational boundaries of the church that we have developed amongst ourselves and to our own selfish ambitions. Please open our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds to the mind of Christ Jesus that brings us all back together – In Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.