Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 06, 2022: SOAP #4751: Philippians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

OBSERVATION:    How important unity is!  Paul pleads with these two ladies to agree in the Lord.  Unity is so important that the Apostle Paul “pleads” with them, in a public letter!  He begs them to settle their differences. 

They may not agree in other areas, but their agreement in the Lord should be so important that other disagreements seem so small that they are unworthy of their time.

APPLICATION: I like to sing, “Oh the blood of Jesus; it washes white as snow.”  I sing it with thanksgiving that the blood of Jesus washes me white as snow.  I need to start singing it with the realization that the blood also washes the one with whom I am disagreeing.  They too are washed white as snow!  

Jesus paid a great price for me; He paid the same price for them.  We are washed with the same blood; we are members of the same body.  We can agree “in the Lord.” 

PRAYER:   Lord, forgive me for my critical spirit.  Forgive me for holding a grudge against my brother.  I want your love to flow through me to everyone around me, including those with whom I disagree.  Help me to see them as you see them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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