ESOCS Devotional 6 July 2021
TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30; 2:1-4
MEMORY VERSE: “Only let thy 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” (Philippians 1:27KJV).
The background to this passage is that Philippi was a cosmopolitan city. The composition of the church reflected this with people from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life. For example, Lydia, a wealthy merchant, was a Jewish convert from Thyatira, Asia [Acts 16:14]; a demon-possessed slave girl, probably a Greek [Acts 16:16-18]; and the jailer serving the colony probably a Roman [Acts 16:23-36]. With this, unity must have been difficult to maintain. This is the same in our churches today – no doubt there is disunity due to inordinate ambition, envy, oppression, at the expense of coming together to fight the common enemy and strengthening the weak brethren. From the passage, how did Paul say believers should manage this?
He encouraged them to “strive” (fight, struggle) together for the faith (and not against one another); present a common front to fight the real opposition – those who oppose the gospel of Christ and His church. Striving together can only be achieved through “one spirit and one mind”, which is unity.
Another area identified in the passage that can build unity is strengthening the weak brethren. So, he encouraged us to show kindness and affectionate sympathy to fellow believers – caring for others and sharing in their pains, irrespective of status. We should shun jealousy, prejudice, and show genuine interest in others to grow unity. We should demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others first to create unity in the house of God.
The Church of God needs Team Work at branch, district, and provincial levels. All Groups and Bands in the Church need team work because “United we stand, divided we fall.”
- Identify the factors that are causing disunity among believers.
- Pray that all believers should come to a common understanding.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Genesis 13:7-8; Psalm 133; John 17:21-23; Acts 16; Philippians 4:1-3
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ESOCS Devotional 6 July 2021
