(Philippians 4:1-5)
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. 2 Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. 3 And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life. 4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.”-Philippians 4:1-5
As we continue our Prison Letter series, we want to look at an admonition that Paul gives to two people who are apparently at odds with one another. Word has gotten back to him that two women, Euodia and Syntyche, both believers and obviously faithful in their service to God, have had some kind of falling out.
Paul is obviously distressed enough over it to include it in this letter to the church at Philippi. He appeals to them and the church to help them settle their disagreement, because of the ramifications that such division can have on a local body. Paul understood that division within a church diminishes productivity and cripples evangelism.
Paul points out that we have been given the task of reconciling people. Of course, unbelievers to God, but also believers with one another. We cheapen reconciliation when we see people reconciled to God, only to come into the church and see people at odds with each other. The Bible is filled with instruction regarding the necessity of maintaining good relations within the body:
“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”-Matthew 18:15
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”-Matthew 5:23-24
Disunity promotes division rather than unite us to a common purpose. It is impossible for us to work together as one body if we pulled apart by divisions and disagreements that go unresolved. That is why unity was a common theme among early church writers:
“Finally all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each others. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.” -1 Peter 3:8
In fact, unity was one of the last things Jesus prayed for us, before He returned to the Father. Reconciliation has far reaching implications. Paul reminds them of the soon return of Christ. He is imploring them to reconcile in light of the Lord’s coming.
How many people are failing to come to Christ because of our division/disunity?
If there was ever a time that the world needs to see a united church, it is now. If there was ever a time that we need to be focused as one united body on the mission and purpose of evangelism it is now.
The church not being able to meet in a building should never minimize our effectiveness in reaching the lost, rather it should mobilize us. Amazing things are happening right now. Thousands of people are stepping into the kingdom of God that have not yet stepped inside the church door.
Here is a thought to ponder this week, perhaps God needs to fix some things in the church and in us, before He allows these new believers into our churches. Why would God want to bring a new believer into a divided, disengaged church that is adrift with no real mission or purpose?
Scott Burr
Dayspring Community Church
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