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.
I don’t know about you, but I would hate to be memorialized in Holy Writ as not being able to get along with my sister in Christ! Surely, Euodia and Syntyche - at the very least – would have wished they had agreed to disagree! They had contended at Paul’s side for the cause of the gospel which now seems to pale in comparison when singled out as arguers and troublemakers. Since Paul pleaded with these women to agree it seems they must have been causing some amount of dissention within the body of believers and he now calls on a loyal yokefellow to help these women work it out. Interestingly, “Euodia” means “prosperous journey” and “Syntyche” means “pleasant acquaintance”. They certainly appear to be falling short of the meaning of their names!
“It’s hard enough resisting the real enemy. If we start fighting other Christians, we’re fighting two wars – and one of them is suicidal.” John Wimber
There is no wonder Paul places such emphasis in many of his writings on unity in the body of believers. Apparently it has been a problem since the “get-go”. He writes in Colossians:
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
“Love one another that it may at last be said of Christians as it was at first: ‘Behold how they love one another.’” Ralph Venning
“Too many Christians mark their Bibles, but their Bibles never mark them!” Warren Wiersbe
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:1-4 (NIV)
Believers are to clothe themselves – take a decisive action – to live according to appropriate attitudes and attributes. We are children of the King and we are to behave accordingly and bear the resemblance of our high positions in Christ. Our words and actions are to be compassionate and kind, as well as gentle, humble and patient and we are called to forgive whatever grievances we may have against one another – just as we have been forgiven.
“Remember Whose you are and Whom you serve.” Oswald Chambers
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Eph 4:2-3 (NIV)
Ever been crucified by Christians? To be sure, it wounds deeply and does much to damage the body of Christ. Not one of us possesses all spiritual knowledge and understanding. Not one of us possesses all the gifts of the Spirit given for the body to function properly. We need each other and while our personalities may differ greatly we are not only called to get along but to love each other. Sadly, many people would come to know the Lord Jesus if it weren’t for the poor behavior of believers. And really, who could blame them?
“The Gospel is God’s explosive power that changes everything. The Gospel makes us Christians...God forgives your sin, declares you righteous in Christ, gives you eternal life, adopts you as His child, and ushers you into an intimate relationship with Himself, through the Holy Spirit. Secondly, the Gospel grows us. The Gospel is not merely the way we enter, it is the way we make all progress...it is the ‘way of righteousness from first to last.’...Since the Gospel not only makes us Christians, but also grows us as Christians, the most desperate need of both unbelievers and believers...is to hear and appropriate the Gospel to their lives. Thirdly, the Gospel empowers us to serve...with a whole new motivational structure...setting us free to love and serve unconditionally in response to God’s grace in Christ.” Rev. Dick Kaufmann
“It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and a wisdom which is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They are masters of their souls. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians...and I am one of them.” St. Cyprian, 200-258