Preserving Peace In The House

Cassandre shares solid Biblical wisdom when it comes to preserving our relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ.

-Transcript Below-
When it comes to guarding our relationships with our brothers and sisters, the apostle Paul is a remarkable teacher. After all, we’re family! When brother Paul penned a letter containing this wise Godly counsel to the church in Philippi and it’s leaders, he spoke of one common goal – to fight for their faith in the good news of the Gospel of our Messiah in *one accord.*

In Philippians 2:14-15 he says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” 

Paul cites humility as the key to avoiding rivalries among them instigated by vanity. The apostle suggested that considering others better than themselves would go a long way toward maintaining unity that would keep them moving toward their common goal.

Paul is not presenting an original idea when he tells them that in order to avoid becoming a perverse and twisted generation they must avoid grumbling against and arguing with one another. He is in fact repeating the words Moses first spoke when he was dealing with just such a generation.

In Deuteronomy 32, as Moses prepared for his own death, he narrated an account of Israel’s troubles in the “Song of Moses.” He spoke to the past by recounting the history and exile of YHWH’s people. He also spoke prophetically to the future by alluding to the Father’s redemption plan for all mankind.

YHWH warned His people through the mouth of Moses that because of the jealousy they caused Him through their idolatry He would provoke them to jealousy through a foolish nation of people who weren’t yet His Own.

Paul, resurrected this theme as he addressed a Messianic community that represented the people moses was talking about. The apostle understood that YHWH truly was calling those born of a foolish nation to join His household Yet, the Father’s plan doesn’t end with provoking his firstborn to jealousy. There is purpose to His provocation and that’s reconciliation for the  ENTIRE household. He’s calling all His children home because without each one, the family is not complete. None of this is achieved through arguments, foolish controversies, dissensions, disputes, quarrels, fruitless debates and slander. We are not able to shine as stars among a warped and crooked generation if we’re always at war with one another.

If we are to function effectively as servants in of the body of Messiah, our purpose is to look after the wellbeing of our brothers and sisters, those “sacred vessels” that serve as the temple which houses the very Presence of the Almighty.. When we lift one another by humbling ourselves to serve, the light of His love spreads like wildfire and has the power to illuminate the world with His glory.

If Our ministry becomes more focused on warring with and mocking the ones coming against us than equipping the body…

If we show up to tell others when they’re wrong, but never ask how we can help or earnestly pray…

If we strain out gnats while choking on camels, neglecting weightier matters of love and compassion…

If we spend more time congratulating our perceived self-righteousness than weeping with and interceding for the broken…

If we take an “us versus them” stance with the ones occupying the ripened field we’ve been assigned to work…

If we’ve framed our own pet doctrines and someone’s lack of devotion to them as salvation issues when scripture clearly does not…

If we are determined to know anything more than the love of Christ and teaching others how to walk in His ways…

…we’ve missed the mark, friends. 

If we’re not fighting in faith in one accord for the good news of the Gospel of Messiah because we are busy fighting one another, we’ve lost our way.  

“For I am telling every single one of you, through the grace that has been given to me, not to have exaggerated ideas about your own importance. Instead, develop a sober estimate of yourself based on the standard which God has given to each of you, namely, trust.” Romans 12:3 CJB

Father, forgive me. I repent.