We can work together in peace if we allow love to consume us. Maybe I am naïve, but I do not think Jesus would say, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ (Matthew 22:39, NKJV) if it was impossible. To say it is not possible is to call Jesus a liar. Paul’s words of love for his parishioners speak volumes and glorify the Lord. “I love you and long to see you. Please keep on being faithful to the Lord. You are my pride and joy” (Philippians 4:1, CEV). It would be a great praise to the Lord and a service to humanity to love each other and respect the work of others, as Paul expresses to the Philippians.
Allow the Spirit of the Lord to guide your way. Be courageous enough to love those that others hate. Remember, our citizenship is in heaven, and those who establish a permanent residence on earth glory in themselves, and their end is destruction. Paul encourages his brethren never to forget who they are in Christ and reminds them of how much he loves them. We should take this moment to act like brothers and sisters in Christ and love each other accordingly. Let your work be for a more significant cause and a more excellent gift to humanity.
Do you and your brothers and sisters show and speak love to each other? “It is truly wonderful when the people of God live together in peace” (Psalm 133:1 (CEV). When we work for the Lord, our way is not our own; Jeremiah understood this and conveyed this message to the people (Jeremiah 10:23). We need to know that we will not prosper if our people divide into right and left-wing demigods. I urge you to seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit guides those who ask for all truth. Paul reminds the Philippians how much he prays for them to stand firm in the faith as they walk worthy of their calling. Always make it your business to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of being called servants of the Lord. Our labor will not be in vain when we look to the Lord and the Scriptures for guidance.
Abide in the Lord and obtain the power needed to accomplish the task. One of those tasks is to love others and encourage each other to be of one mind. Paul implores Euodia and Syntyche to have the mindset of Jesus. We should do the same. Open your hearts to this invaluable message, be of the same mind and on one accord (Philippians 2:2). We do not pretend there is no conflict in the church, but love is an overcomer. Let us use Scripture as a guide to settle our differences. Deflate situations and do not raise the temperature of discussions by trying to embarrass others in public. We need to work together in peace without grumbling.
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
