I am sure of this very thing—that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the Day of Messiah Yeshua. Philippians 1:6, TLV
Paul’s Two Parties. Context. Paul writes to the believers in Philippi . . . From prison. He begins with a blessing and proceeds to encourage them in their faith, as he encourages himself in their faith.
I had to ask myself, how would I feel if I received a letter from someone who was instrumental in bringing me to faith in Jesus and adoption to His Father—the Creator of the Universe . . . From prison?
Apparently, based on this chapter there were two parties. One party were in full support of Paul and his work and became more embolden to share the Good News (vs. 14). The other party in offense of Paul’s imprisonment who then preached against him, but still preached for Messiah (vss. 15, 17).
What does Paul say? Essentially, who cares! As long as Yeshua is preached.
Would I be in party one or party two? It sounds like party two had a few axes to grind with the apostle. Perhaps Paul was a little too honest with them. Or maybe he wasn’t as refined in his speech as they expected such a learned man to be. Whatever the case might have been, party two hadn’t forgiven Paul for their offenses.
And now, with him in prison, well, they might feel justified in their judgments.
While Paul was gracious in his response (vs. 18), would the Holy Spirit respond differently? Party two’s judgments and critical heart causes division, and we know division flies in the face of Yeshua’s prayer in John 17, that we be one and the world would know us by our love, and ultimately know Him because of our unity and love (John 17:16-24).
We can disagree, but in love. Disagreeing without causing division takes a great deal of wisdom and maturity. But, it is possible.
The Takeaway
My takeaway from Paul’s message is two-fold.
First, his gracious heart. He began with speaking a blessing to both parties. He voiced his confidence that what God began He would complete in each soul. For Paul to speak this, he had to have forgiven those who turned their backs on him and spoke ill of him. He understood the offense against him, but he didn’t care — God’s message was more important.
Second, I don’t want to join party two — the judgmental and critical party. I don’t want to taint any good work I do or lesson I learn with pride or prejudice. I want to stay in the place of gratitude and humility in a non-Pharisee way (Luke 18:9-14). And, I want to honor Yeshua’s prayer for unity by praying for those who speak ill of me.
Yep. I want to join party one, how about you?
