Labor with Others Toward the Same Goal

To do God’s work, we are going to have to work with others in Christ.

“³Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.” – Philippians 4:3 (ESV)

In this passage, Paul is referencing two women that have worked closely with him in the spreading of the gospel. These women have been doing great work for Christ and have somehow begun to disagree with one another.

Paul is employing the Philippians to work with these women and get them back on the same page and to realize that they are working for the same goal.

We often find ourselves at odds with others and after dissecting the circumstances and the facts, it will turn out to be personality conflicts as opposed to significant differences in goal. The goal is what should be driving the actions and not the personalities.

Sure, the personalities can bring things to life and encourage others, but the goal should be centered and everyone should be seeking to reach it together. When the people are at odds, the end result is missed, not to mention that the others that are seeking to reach that goal then become confused and divided due to the original odds of those with the personality differences.

When we are doing the work of Christ, we should be doing that work with others of Christ with joy and encouragement in our hearts. We should work as one toward the common goal as opposed to letting our egos and personalities get in the way.

When you are working with other Christians, are you working as one? Are you allowing your personality differences get in the way of God’s work? Are you laboring with other Christians?