with Elder Elico Manenji
✝️The Apostle exhorts believers to steady in the faith in the Lord. He besought Euodias and Syntyche who had personal differences to reconcile and be of one mind in Divine things. So he requested those of faith, his fellow workers to help these two to come together and in the same understanding. The Apostle encourages all believers to be of good deportment and of the same mind of purity and excellence in the gospel they had heard, accepted and believed. He thanks the Church for taking care of his needs even when the gifts did not satisfy all the requirements, he praises their generosity toward him. He promises them that the riches of glory in Christ will be supplied to them abundantly because of their co-operation with the gospel requirements. He salutes all the saints and sends greetings to them also from the Emperor's household.
*1️⃣Philippians 4:1-9: Encouragement to stand firm in the Lord and rejoice in Him always.*
⏹️ With words of joy, rejoicing and warmest friendship, the Apostle encouraged the Philippians to stand firm and never be shaken by problems that arise whether inside the church or outside of the church. The Apostle says, *"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose"(Romans 8:28).*
⏭️ He appeals to two women(Euodias and Syntyche) who had quarrelled to become friends again since they had worked with the Apostle before, they would be a great team for the benefit of rhe church once they were united in purpose once again. The Apostle exhorts members of the church saying, *"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you"(Colossians 3:13).*
⏫ He requested that close friends of the two and fellow workers to assist these two women to forget their differences and start working together for the benefit of the gospel and peace of the saints. The Psalmist says, *"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!"(Psalm 133:1).*
⏹️ Above all believers must rejoice at all times, be patient with one another, cheerful, honest towards God and mankind, glad in the Lord and service of others, truthful with
correct impression of others. The Apostle Peter says, *"Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king"(1Peter 2:17).*
⏭️A man who is false to his engagements, or false in his statements and promises, is one who will always disgrace religion. The Lord said, *" You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor"(Exodus 20:16).*
*"You shall not raise a false report: put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness"(Exodus 23:1).*
⏭️ People who are respectful or esteemed are they which are of rightful mind even when doing transactions of earthly and heavenly business. As Christian and believers, we should always show respect to all the venerable as long as it will not violate the conscience or interfere with the laws of God. The Apostle says, *"And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offense toward God, and toward men"(Acts 24:16).*
*2️⃣Philippians 4:10-23: Generosity of the Philippians and the Apostle's final greetings.*
⏹️Even as the Philippians thought constantly of the Apostle’s needs yet could not send anything to him whilst he was in his imprisonment until the visit by Epaphroditus, the Apostle was filled with joy by receiving this gift of money and love. True, that money is an essential commodity but in human and Godly business. The preacher says, *"For wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom gives life to them that have it"(Ecclesiastes 7:12).*
*"A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes merry: but money answers all things"(Ecclesiastes 10:19).*
⏭️The Apostle's joy was not that he had a greedy desire for money but that even without the gift from the Philippians, he was able to sustain himself and depended on wirkibg with his own hands to satisfying his own needs and of those who were with him. The Apostle says, *"But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows"(1 Timothy 6:9-10).*
⏹️ Our contentment in this life should not come from or through money and possessions but rather through the assurance that Christ enables us to meet our every day situations as He gives us strength. The Psalmist says, *"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"(Psalm 27:1).*
⏭️It should never be the minister of the gospel's pleasure to be sustained by gifts and money for the reason of personal gain and profit but at least for the profit of the gospel which should gain through the sacrifice and generosity of it's members. In most cases today, it is the minister who gains at the expense of the gospel, which is a direct divergence of the requirements of God. The wiseman says, *"Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase: So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine"(Proverbs 3:9-10).*
⏭️ Christ never claimed a gift or offering from his followers, just like many and all other Apostles but was sustained by the compassionate friends of his daily needs. The Apostle says, *"Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful"(1 Corinthians 4:1-2).*
⏫Those who give gifts are like investing with God, who, as their banker, will add interest to their account on the day of redemption. Through their offerings, the work of God will have more than enough as they too will have more than enough because God will repay them according to his abundant wealth in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ said, *"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that you have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that fails not, where no thief approaches, neither moth corrupts. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also"(Luke 12:32-34).*
⏹️On this joyous note, the Apostle finishes his letter with Christians greetings from those who were of the Emperor's household, who had accepted the gospel charge and joined him in ministry. The Apostle says, *"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek"(Romans 1:16).*
*"Be not you therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be you partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God"(2 Timothy 1:8).*
*🅰️Appeal*
God is our Father as the Apostle says, _"Now unto God and our Father..."_ It is a great condescension of grace and mercy that God is Father to sinners as only this title fit because of the gospel dispensation. It is a great privilege and encouragement to us to consider Him as our Father for His involvement in both our creation and redemption by His Son Jesus Christ, upon which all knees in heaven.and earthy should bow to the glory of the Father. The Apostle says, *"Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father"(Galatians 1:4).* Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704).
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