Cooperate
Php 4:2,3 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 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.
This is the first time in the Bible where we see the phrase "the book of life". In fact the only other place we learn of this book is in Revelation, which was written later by the apostle John. There we learn that "if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Rev 20:15 So to be saved from God's wrath is to have your name written in the book of life. It is interesting the Paul confidently affirmed these were saved, despite their imperfect behavior, in that, at least in the case of the two women, there was some kind of dispute going on. Paul himself was not above such things, having parted company with Barnabus in a sharp dispute over Mark. "They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus but Paul chose Silas and left" Acts 15:39 And likewise Paul and Barnabus together had to contend with Peter and the others in Jerusalem over the issue of Gentile Christians. But eventually al these got resolved. So while contentions may arise among Christians, see to it that they be eventually resolved. With regards to ministry matters it's often the case that either God is calling for compromise between the parties, or else for them to have separate ministries.
But again with regards to declaring these as having their names written in the book of life, it is apparent from his writings that this was not by special revelation, but simply that their behavior, their convictions as revealed by their lifestyle, indicated to all that this was the fact. And likewise does Paul write in many of his letters, confidently affirming, in many cases, the salvation status of many of his readers, despite the fact that is was clear their behavior was less than perfect and yet indicative of their salvation status. Here we notice that these women, and Clement and others were involved in laboring together with Paul. Such behavior is to be expected of those born of God. So put your faith into action and then something could be said of your salvation status.
Php 4:2,3 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 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.
This is the first time in the Bible where we see the phrase "the book of life". In fact the only other place we learn of this book is in Revelation, which was written later by the apostle John. There we learn that "if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Rev 20:15 So to be saved from God's wrath is to have your name written in the book of life. It is interesting the Paul confidently affirmed these were saved, despite their imperfect behavior, in that, at least in the case of the two women, there was some kind of dispute going on. Paul himself was not above such things, having parted company with Barnabus in a sharp dispute over Mark. "They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus but Paul chose Silas and left" Acts 15:39 And likewise Paul and Barnabus together had to contend with Peter and the others in Jerusalem over the issue of Gentile Christians. But eventually al these got resolved. So while contentions may arise among Christians, see to it that they be eventually resolved. With regards to ministry matters it's often the case that either God is calling for compromise between the parties, or else for them to have separate ministries.
But again with regards to declaring these as having their names written in the book of life, it is apparent from his writings that this was not by special revelation, but simply that their behavior, their convictions as revealed by their lifestyle, indicated to all that this was the fact. And likewise does Paul write in many of his letters, confidently affirming, in many cases, the salvation status of many of his readers, despite the fact that is was clear their behavior was less than perfect and yet indicative of their salvation status. Here we notice that these women, and Clement and others were involved in laboring together with Paul. Such behavior is to be expected of those born of God. So put your faith into action and then something could be said of your salvation status.
