Don't argue - Rejoice

"I urge you Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord." v2     

                                                                                       Philippians 4:2-4    CSB 

Settle your disagreements  and walk in harmony. This church, which was started by women, was now being torn apart by women. The word 'harmony' describes an orchestra who, after tuning up, flow together as one - in perfect harmony. It couldn't be said about this church. The dispute had spread to the whole church and it was like a cancer.

You've heard the phrase, 'Chinese Whispers', (with no intention to discriminate with racial connotations), it describes people whispering in each others ear until the final person declares what was passed on. It rarely matches what was originally said. This is like gossip - what is said can usually be taken as the truth.

This was what was happening in this early church. Now, wherever there is a dispute people will usually take sides and this is where the disputes escalate, causing church splits. It needs to be nipped in the bud. William Barclay comments, 'A quarrelling church is no church.' Very profound words.

There are leaders and there are followers, rather like a shepherd and the sheep. Each are of great importance. The problem begins when other people see themselves as the leader too. Rather like a magnet, two like cells repel each other. Take note.

Paul advised rejoicing, 'Rejoice in the Lord, always, I will say it again. Rejoice' v4. This is in line with what he had said earlier in chapter 3:1, 'In addition, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this is not trouble for me and, a safeguard for you.' 

Paul considered rejoicing so important that he rubber-stamped it to get the message over. After all, it is difficult to rejoice when you are in dispute - it's hard to show joy to one another when you are at logger-heads.

Therefore, let us always be ready to rejoice, always and in everything

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