Broken Relationships

BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves (PHILIPPIANS 2:3).

Philippians 4:2-7

Reading

I watched from my window as a block of flats was demolished. The full demolition took less than a week. Now a new building is being built in its place. It’s been months now, and despite the builders working nights and weekends, it is still incomplete. It just goes to show—it’s far easier to break stuff than fix it! 

This is definitely true in our relationships and friendships. In Philippians 4:2, Paul wrote to two women in the church, saying, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord”. The fight between these two women threatened the whole church family if they couldn’t work things out. So Paul asked a “true companion” (V.3) to help them rebuild their relationship. 

Sadly, Christians sometimes fight. So we need to do our best, even in disagreements, to “live at peace with everyone” (ROM. 12:18). If we can’t settle our arguments kindly and with respect, the love of the church can be broken very quickly, just like that block of flats. People will look and think the church is just like anywhere else—full of fights and disagreements. 

Working to keep peace takes effort and a long time, like any building project. But it is worth it. Christians who look out for each other, even when they disagree, stand tall. Let’s encourage and strengthen our Christian friends and our church families today!

WHO CAN YOU LOOK OUT FOR IN YOUR CHURCH FAMILY TODAY?

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries