According to a recent (April, 2010) study by the Barna Group, nearly four (4) out of every ten (10) non-churchgoing American adults (37%) said they avoid churches because of negative past experiences in churches or with church people. Simply put, there is a lot of unresolved conflict existing among Christians today that is causing many to quit church or “warm a pew”.
Please read Philippians 4:1-3. This passage presents how you can practically maintain peace between other believers.
1) Your Biblical Command to Pursue Peace (v.1). Paul makes a wonderful transition that builds on what he had just written about in Philippians 3:12-21 about spiritual growth. He expresses his loving, loyal, and pastoral heart to the believers at Philippi and then presents an imperative (very important) command to the local church believers to “stand fast”, which means to stand firm in the faith of Jesus Christ! However, in order for your local church to stand firm its members (including you!) must be united, “striving together” (Phil. 1:27)!
Disunity is always the result of unresolved conflict that hinders the entire local church from standing firm in an unstable world. When you refuse to pursue interpersonal peace you actually hinder your local church from biblically and effectively fulfilling the great commission (Matt. 28:19-20)! Think about it, the unresolved conflict that you have in your home or with another church member could end in a fractured family life or church split! Conflict in your interpersonal relationships is like termites to a house, cancer to the body, and cavities to the teeth, it will destroy churches, marriages, families, friendships, and other relationships. You are directly commanded by God to “stand fast” and in order to do that you must be united with others!
2) You must Pursue Peace with Others (v.2). There was an unknown heated dispute between two faithfully serving women in the church at Philippi over some personal preference which was creating disunity and hindering the church’s command to “stand fast in the Lord”.
Paul urges Euodia and Syntyche to biblically and immediately settle their conflict and restore harmony in the Philippian church. Paul understood that disunity posed a crippling threat to the church just as much as doctrinal error would. It’s very tragic that many fundamental, Bible believing and teaching churches are known for disunity rather than unity! The root of all interpersonal conflict is the sin of pride. Proverbs 13:10 states, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.”
Remember, conflict is unacceptable in the body of Christ and it is always YOUR responsibility to resolve the conflict. Consider the following 2 biblical mandates:
1. If someone has sinned against, offended, wronged, insulted, snubbed, hurt, slighted, or mistreated you = Read Luke 17:3 – You must humbly go to them and seek reconciliation (peace).
2. If you have sinned against, offended, wronged, insulted, snubbed, hurt, slighted, or mistreated someone else= Read Mathew 5:23-24 – If you receive word or perceive that you have sinned against someone you must quickly go and ask forgiveness in order to restore unity.
Obeying these 2 clear command is honoring to God and He will greatly bless you! Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”
3) You must Help Others Pursue Peace, when Necessary (v.3). Because of the seriousness of their disagreement, Pastor Paul publicly addressed the entire local church to help these two women resolve their conflict and restore unity if they did not reconcile privately. Again, Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” If there are people in your family, church, or other relationships that are in conflict with one another you are commanded to biblically help them reconcile till unity/peace is restored.
Being at odds with other believers is unacceptable in the body of Christ. A local church that is standing firm (Phil. 4:1) will and must have unity. All conflict evaporates when all parties involved have the mind of Christ (see Phil. 2:3-5).
