Philippians 4:1
"Therefore, my dear brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends. I plead with Eudoia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side int he casue of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life."
This is a transitional statement that Paul is making here...Some translations like the NIV say, "that is how you should stand firm..." referring back to chapter 3, while some, like the NASB say, "in this way you should stand firm." which could refer to the following verses. It seems to me like both have significant merrit and both are clearly affirmed elsewhere in scripture. Let me comment on the first possibility..."that is how you should stand firm". At the end of chapter 3 Paul makes clear that what defines a follower of Christ is their citizenship in heaven, and the reality that Christ is comign and will transform us...in the future. It seems that current church culture is devaluing the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven to come. Certainly I appreciate the balance of remembering our role in bringing the Kingdom of Heaven now, but I wonder if our focus on the here and now and lack of focus on the future might come out of the lack of persecution we face. I wonder if I would be much more excited about heaven, and less enamored with earth if I was under persecution. I wonder if I would not need the hope of heaven to persevere? I know that for me to live is Christ, but sometimes I forget that to die is gain, but in order to pursue the goal to which Christ has called me, I need to rmember this reality. On the flip side, Paul goes on in chapter 4 to speak about other aspects of standing firm areas of focus that are needed. His first is in verses 2-3 where he longs for Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other. There has been a split between them and Paul longs for unity and community to be restored. The reality is we need each other desperately. We were not wired to journey alone here. We need other people who contend with us for the cause of the gospel. When I reflect back on my experience, one of the areas of sorrow in my life are from broken relationships, broken community, with other believers. Lord, I pray that you would heal wounds and bring unity again with my fellow workers whom I have offended.
God bless you as you journey...
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2 comments:
Do you think that our lack of persecution stems from the fact that we were so enamoured with the kingdom to come that we didn't do anything to address injustice here? We basically became irrelevant in the present and so we were left alone as irrelevant. I think there's the potential that the new focus on the kingdom now will bring a renewed focus on the kingdom to come. I also think that we need careful, intentional teaching to keep both in balance.
Hey Jer,
Fair point. I don't want to come across like I don't think the current shift towards the Kingdom of Heaven on earth is vital and important. I do, and I have been challenged by it. However, it seems to me, at least here in North America, that persecution rarely comes from social justice issues (unless it is from the church itself) and more often from issues of the proclamation of Jesus Christ. I want to also acknowledge that many times it is not the gospel that is offensive, it is the one presenting the Gospel which is not at all appropriate. I too want to keep this whole movement in balance. By the way, the more I think about the comment, the more it is making sense. Certainly early Christians who were all about meeting the needs of others were getting killed like crazy...I need to wrestle with this.
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