Accepting the Unacceptable
Philippians 4:2-9
VS.9 "Whatever you have learned or received or
heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace
will be with you".
Paul writes his letter to Philippians while he was in
prison. Prisons in the days of Paul were not pleasant or healthy. In the
mind of the people, prison was equal to death, despair, sickness of mind
and body, and humiliation. Through this letter, Paul addresses the
disunity in Philippian Church.” Make my joy complete by being
like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and
purpose.”(Philippians2:2). The appeal to Euodia and Syntyche(Philippians
4:2-3) is the clear evidence of dissension in the Church of Philippi.
Many commentators believe that disharmony was the serious problem in the
community and thus interpret these verses as an indication of Paul’s real
purpose in writing.
Accepting the
Unacceptable- In Inter-personal Relations
As humans, we’ve to
move, work and live in a community. As Christians we’re practicing our
faith in a community. Eudia and Syntyche were not ordinary people. They
were leaders. Paul says: “they have struggled beside me in the work
of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose
names are in the book of life.”(v.3). There is possibility of conflict
among the saints and among the ministers. Conflict was occurred among the
great missionaries Paul and Barnabas. If we have a conflict with other
person does not mean that he/she is the most corrupted or wicked person.
In every human being there may some aspect which is unacceptable by
another. There is a saying: “Every Rose has its Thorns.” Paul urges Eudia
and Syntyche to agree with each other (NIV) or to be of the same mind
(NRSV) in the Lord. This is an advice to the believers of all times.
Accepting the
Unacceptable- In Difficult Life Situations
General exhortations of St Paul in the following verses help
a believer to tackle with difficult life situations. 1. Rejoice in the
Lord. All our joy terminate in God and our thoughts of God must be
delightful.(M.Henry). While going through toughest situation in life, as
a Roman prisoner, Paul again and again exhorts to rejoice.2. Be Gentle. The
Psalmist says: “the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in
abundant peace.”(Psalm37:11). In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus teaches:
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”(Matthew 5:5).
In difficult situations we have to be gentle and meek.3. Do not be
anxious but pray to God with a thankful heart. Jesus urges us not be
anxious.(Matthew6:31). St Peter says, caste all your anxieties on God,
because He cares for you. Thank God for everything including the trials
and tribulations. Pray for courage to face it. Pray for wisdom to
understand it. Pray for strength to overcome it.4. Think about what is
excellent and praiseworthy. There is a saying: “we are what we think.”
Paul summarizes all books on positive thinking in this verse. Think about
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is
pure, whatever is pleasing and whatever is commendable.(v.8).5. Imitate
Paul who is going through tough times. Paul says: “Keep on doing the
things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in
me.”(v.9).
Accept difficult persons and toughest situations in your
life with smile
PRAYER
God grant me the serenity to accept
the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and
wisdom to know the difference
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Every Rose has its
Thorns.
Rev. Joe John, St. Thomas MTC, Elippakulam.
|