Spiritual Agreement

Philippians 4:2 ~ "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord."

Christians ought to be of one mind. And yet, the "ought's" of the Scriptures tend to clash with the desires of the individual and there begins the conflict. 

It is an interesting observation between two Christians who have labored to serve the Lord and desire to live for His glory to find themselves at odds with one another. It may seem that they should be delighted to find themselves in a state of joyful unanimity, walking metaphorically hand-in-hand for the cause of the Lord. Yet, for some reason, the two women mentioned in our text today were of differing mindsets.

There is no place in Scripture where it is revealed the challenge between Euodia and Syntyche. The simple fact is, they were in disagreement--of such a disagreement that the Apostle Paul saw fit to mention them by name in his letter for all the church to read in order to bring them back to unifying fellowship with each other. It is not a stretch to consider that their disagreement was causing a disruption in the life of the church.

But from where do these conflicts arise?

Consider the words of James 4:1-3, "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

To boil it down, you don't get your way and so you go to war. 

And, yet, the Apostle Paul was rather tender in his words toward these two women. He didn't "command" he "entreated" them. It a word of closeness, one that conveys the same idea as the work of the Holy Spirit, coming alongside them as a counselor, to guide and direct them back into the way of Christ. What was Paul's entreaty? Simple: agree in the Lord.

Can two Christians have differing views and opinions about matters unrelated to the fundamental truths in Christ? Of course they can, but those disagreements must not override their good sense to stand with each other in their common faith. It is important that such unity exist in the church--a unity that is built from our love for Christ and each other.

Consider the church in Corinth who had taken their divisions to a whole other level--even going so far as to take each other to court! But take to heart the words of the Apostle in 1 Corinthians 6:7 when he confronted their hostility. "To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?" Did not our Lord Jesus teach us to "turn the other cheek" (see Matthew 5:39). 

The women mentioned in our text today were good, solid, hard-working Christians who labored for the gospel. Their disagreement needed to be resolved, their love restored and the work continued for the sake of Christ and His church.

If you are in such a state with another believer, hear the words of Paul and determine to come in agreement in the Lord, even if you cannot come in agreement with the issue that has separated you. Love for each other in Christ must be the higher priority.

In His Grace,
​Pastor Michael

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