Philippians 4:2-3
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, 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.
I know you are but what am I? I cannot remember the last time that phrase came up in an adult conversation but it seems to be the theme of the relationship between Euodia and Syntyche, two women who had roles in the church in Philippi alongside Paul, Clement, and fellow workers. No one knows the cause of the trouble but we know the message it sends to the community. It is that Christians are no more peaceful than the guys getting drunk at the bar. Paul would have been horrified to hear of this problem between two valued servants for the Lord. He valued unity in the church and prescribed joy in the Lord for preserving it.
There are not many who agree in the Lord it seems these days. There is also not a lot of laboring side by side with each other. I wonder if this coincides with a decrease in America of rejoicing in the Lord for his love for us. If we rejoice in the Lord always, and again Paul says rejoice, there would be less biting and fighting and more loving and making of disciples. As Max Lucado wrote, when we don’t fish, we fight. The stream is plentiful for fishing. Let’s agree to labor side by side.
Dear Lord, thank you for a reason to rejoice in the Lord always. Help us to keep our eyes on you and those you would have us love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church