Preacher Ko Lingkang

 

Dealing with Conflict (Phil 4:1-3)

Introduction

Wherever there are people, there will be conflict. Why? Because we are sinful, prideful, and selfish people. Though we are saved, we sometimes revert to our old carnal selves. Peace will not come naturally, not even for Christians. This is something we must strive for in the church, where everyone must come together to seek for the common goal of serving Christ. Left to our own natural inclinations, we will often break out in conflict. Yet the Bible tells us that peace, unity and harmony is important, that it is indeed precious when brethren dwell together in unity. Conflict, if left uncheck, will destroy the church, and rob it of its power and destroy its testimony. These issues may sometimes seem like rather trivial matters, but if overlooked, can quickly fester and escalate to a serious matter that would disrupt the unity and effectiveness of the church.

 

How then can we attain this peace, and ensure that conflict would not arise within our church? There are a few important principles that we must remind ourselves as Christians.

 

Engage with Sincerity

(4:1) Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown,

In this final chapter of the epistle, Paul has to deal with some very personal sensitive issues. The advice he now gives is based on all that he had explained to them in the previous chapters, that they should be united, have the humility of Christ, and to emulate his spiritual example. If those things were in place, then they really should have no problem overcoming the petty conflicts that they were facing.

 

He writes to them in a tender, fatherly manner, as he dispenses spiritual advice to them. He calls them ‘brethren, dearly beloved and longed for’. These are wonderful terms of endearment that expresses his regard for them as brethren, family in the Lord; as dearly beloved ones to whom he has great affection for; and as people whom he so strongly yearns for.

 

He also sees them as his source of joy, especially amidst the circumstances he is facing. They are people who are truly worth his labour and sufferings, for he knows that through his labour for them, he will receive his eternal rewards in heaven – his crown. He expresses similar sentiments for the Christians over at Thessalonica, when he told them in 1Thessalonians 2:19-20 "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy".

 

This then was the basis for the exhortations and instructions that he would continue to give them. Because of his close relationship with them, he was in a good position to mediate, as he began his plea with a sincere reminder of how dear they were to him. He did not come commanding with the authority of an Apostle. Instead he approached them as a friend who loved them dearly, and truly wanted what was best for them.

 

Ensure your Stability

so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

And so he calls upon the church to stand fast. This word is a command, a term often used in a military context to call upon one to stand firm at his post, to not yield any ground in the midst of battle. It speaks of a strong, resolute and unwavering stand. It was what he had already called them to do in Philippians 1:27: "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel". [Emphasis added] Now he was re-echoing his desire to them, that they must ensure that they are spiritually stable in the Lord. Their loyalty and allegiance must above all, be fixed upon Christ alone. They must all stand on the firm foundation of the Lord Jesus Christ for it is Him they serve, it is Him that they are fighting for!

 

A lot of times, the reason why conflicts arise is because people stand fast on their own desires, their own pride, and their own stubborn allegiances. They are strong-willed, and they refuse to capitulate, but not from a position of steadfast loyalty to God, but from their own sinful errors. They have some misunderstanding or difference, but neither side wants to back down, and so problems arise.

 

If we can realize that we are actually all on common ground, standing fast in the Lord, and fighting against a common enemy, then very quickly conflicts ought to cease. When we stand fast on the Lord, then we are certainly on the side of the truth, and God is the one fighting on our side.

 

Emphasise our Commonality

(2) I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.

In verse 2, Paul minced no words, and addressed the problem head on. He named the two parties by name – Euodias and Syntyche. Yet again he does not come with authority, but by ‘beseeching’ or pleading. These were two women from Philippi that were likely to be at the very heart of the conflict. The reason for their falling out is not known, but we do know that they were both Christians serving in some capacity in the church.

 

Apparently what happened was that they had a disagreement, and now were no longer of one mind, of one accord. They had different thinking and differing opinions on whatever matter was at hand, and that caused the conflict to arise amongst the brethren in the church.

 

Now Paul simply directs them to realize their commonality in the Lord. They must be of one mind, because they are both Christians, and like-mindedness is what is expected of every believer. This is certainly nothing new, for it was an instruction that had already been repeated multiple times throughout the epistle:

Philippians 2:2-5 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (3) Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (4) Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 3:15-16 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (16) Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

 

Note of course that there is a difference between uniformity and commonality. Paul was not calling for them to have no individuality or personal opinion, or that they must mindlessly conform to just one standard. What he was emphasizing was the fact that they were both in the Lord, and therefore ought to have the same ambitions, goals and desires. They were both to understand that their lives must be lived in accordance with the Word of God, and their purpose was to serve and glorify God with their lives. If that commonality is reached, then surely we would have a lot less conflict, and a lot more sweet fellowship in the church.

 

Enlist the Community

(3) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers,

Yet knowing how delicate and tricky the situation was, Paul also called the rest of the church to lend a hand to diffuse the situation. Firstly he called upon a certain ‘true yokefellow’ to be the primary person to help sort out the matter. Who he is, is not known. Some have speculated that the phrase ‘true yokefellow’ is actually a proper name, ‘Suzugos’. Others have just taken it to refer to a person known to Paul and the church. He was perhaps one who was a fellow servant with Paul, and had earned the ‘title’ of true yokefellow. This refers to someone who bares the same burden together with you, as a comrade, a partner, a fellow servant of the Lord. Whoever he was, Paul requested that he help these women out, to see to it that they would be united in the bonds of Christ once again.

 

He also asked Clement, and other fellow labourers whom Paul knew to be in the church. He calls upon the whole community to lend a hand, to ensure the unity of the church. Indeed that is how conflict is resolved – where everyone works together without any ulterior motive, to make sure that peace and harmony are wrought.

 

And so Paul tells them all to band together, to unite one with another, for after all, they were all sincerely serving the same Lord. In fact, Paul knows these two women by name, preciously because he had served together with them in the past. They had laboured with him in the gospel, and he knew them well. Thus he pleads with them, knowing their sincerity and integrity, to put aside their personal squabbles and differences and work together!

 

Of course this must not be done at the expense of truth. Many people would say the same thing today, but in effect they are not serving the same God! They may claim to be doing so, but are actually just serving their own pockets, or their own erroneous ways. They are serving a different God from the God of the Bible! We would not work with those people, nor should we seek for unity with them. But insofar as they are likeminded brethren, standing upon the same foundation of Christ and His Word, there is really no reason why we cannot cooperate and get along!

 

Endure to Eternity

whose names are in the book of life.

Finally, the one thing that must tie all of us together, is the fact that we are all saved, with all our names written in the book of life. We all have the same destination and hope - that is we are headed to heaven!

 

Thus seeing that we will be together forever in eternity, can we not get along on earth? As we are looking forward to and hoping for the same hope of eternal life, that should really help to align our desires and motivations here on earth.

 

Let us all heed the exhortations that Paul gave to the Ephesian church: "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Eph 4:1-3)