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We need to come together for the sake of unity in the faith
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2 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. (Philippians 4:2-3)
Regardless of our political standing, we‘ve all witnessed many months of disunity. Candidates have been vocal about the faults and foibles of their opponents and those listening to them joined in, drawing lines in the sand over one topic or another. This isn’t the unity we’re supposed to have as a nation. Typically, when I think of unity as a nation, I think of the locking of arms against a common foe. What we’ve just witnessed is the polar opposite.
We don’t know what the disagreement was between Euodia and Syntyche. It’s not spoken of in in the Bible. Yet, what is subtle with it’s appearance in the text is that Paul, in jail of some sort, knows of it and is asking it to stop. For this to be brought to Paul’s attention demonstrates the severity of the disagreement, and it might give us a view to the deep-seated impact it was having on the greater church in Philippi.
Some of the sharpest and most hurtful disagreements come within the body of believers – either local or global. At times, it seems we’re best at tearing each other down rather than the edifying each other. This ought not be.
Just as our nation needs to be knit back together, but cannot be done without involving all parties, we, the Body of Christ, need to come together for the sake of unity in the faith. Perhaps the Church, as a body, demonstrating this sort of unity toward each other, can be the vanguard for those around us, reconciling ourselves to each other and to God. Today, if there is someone who comes to mind that you’ve distanced yourself from, regardless of the reason, begin the process of reconciliation for the sake of God’s kingdom.
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling
to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
-Ephesians 4:1-7
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By Rich Obrecht
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