Good morning. There is a description by Paul in his letter to the Philippians of a situation that I have always found intriguing. Philippians 4:1-3 tells us: Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
The brothers and sisters in faith at the Philippian church were very dear to Paul. They had often reached out to him in love and support through times of challenge and trial. The women he mentions were partners with him in the ministry for Christ. It is clear that they both were good, Christ loving, Christian servants, and fellow warriors for Christ. But they didn’t get along with each other.
Although they were both solid Christian people their personal conflict was upsetting to Paul, and probably a negative in Christ’s work. Was it vital that they get along with each other? Well, yes…to a degree at least. What does “getting along with each other” mean, exactly? Does it mean that they become best friends? No. Does it mean that they begin to see each other socially away from the Body of Christ. Not necessarily. Paul isn’t asking for the help of the leaders of the Philippian church to ensure that kind of relationship between these ladies. He is asking for help so that the people in question accept this: I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
The truth is, there are people that we are drawn to and there are people who, “rub us the wrong way”. This doesn’t mean that we or they are evil, we simply don’t hit it off personally. That’s okay. We could say the same things about some persons in our immediate families away from the family of God. But in the family of God, the Body of Christ, this much is essential: that we be of the same mind in the Lord.
Whatever differences or minor disagreements we may have, those things pale to insignificance compared to the joy of having Christ in common. In Him, all else is set aside, and all else is seen as less important as long as we agree in Him.
By the way, when we do set aside any differences we may have for the greater cause of Christ, we usually find that those other things fade away or work themselves out. The love of Jesus tends to do that for us.
Vern