Philippians 4 SOAPY suds

Scripture

Three Exhortations

2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Observation

Paul is giving instructions to the church at Philippi as a whole, but also to some specific member who he names. He brings church down to a personal level. The church at Philippi is not just a far off group of believers but people with names and problems and lives that effect the others who belong to church with them as well as outsiders looking in who may base their opinions on Christians on one little view.

Paul tells the Philippians three important things

1. Agree in the Lord
2. Rejoice in the Lord
3. Think on things of the Lord

Assessment/Application

All three of those things are interrelated and important for there to be fruit in our lives and for us to have a strong Christian witness.

Prayer

I read that exhortation means to encourage or come along side. I pray that the Lord will show me how and when to be more encouraging to my brothers and sisters in Christ. We make it more complicated than it should be – all we have to do is love You enough that there is no room for disagreement, there is no need to think on anything else, and we can’t help but rejoice. Amen