Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 34th Edition.
Dear Church of Jesus Christ,
Yesterday we saw in Philippians 3:17-21, the need to focus on the glory of God, not personal gain. Today we begin with chapter 4. We will look at verses 1-3.
Stand fast (verse 1). There will always be challenges in our walk with Christ. The one unwavering position for believers should be Paul’s earlier statement, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Nothing should come between a believer and his/her commitment to Christ. And we should be willing to pay the price.
Seek reconciliation (verse 2). There were two women in the church, whose conflict was affecting the church. They were not just some “Jane and Joyce” nobodies, either. These were people who had teamed up with Paul for ministry. Conflict is normal and no one is so spiritual as to be immune. But when people perpetuate strife, it affects their ability to serve, while also adversely impacting other relationships in the church. People begin to take sides and the conflict spreads. There is nothing special or beneficial about feeling bad, so the sooner one sorts whatever it is that causes conflict out, the better.Note that the women are encouraged to “be of one mind in the Lord.” If we forget that we live or die for God, then our pride and feelings of hurt cloud our reason. If two people on opposite sides of a conflict would each ask, what can I d’o to honour God in this situation? Conflict would resolve in the twinkling of an eye.
Support peace efforts (verse 3). There seems to have been a specific person, to whom Paul made this appeal. Whoever it was, he had some authority and must have been respected by the church. When people fight in the church, most of us just talk about it from afar. That is the worst possible way to deal with such a situation, because it’s likely to fuel animosity. Others take sides and make the mud thicker. But our every effort should be directed towards helping people reconcile. The pastor and other church leaders are in the thick of it, nor can they be accused of meddling.
It is the responsibility of church leadership to poke its nose in conflicts and help diffuse tension, but all of us should work towards that goal. Some people are best left to fight it out, it’s true. Which to intervene in, and which to leave be, calls for wisdom. Only God supplies that, so look there and leave me to what he has assigned me, (James 1:5).
Yours Loving Pastor Chris.