“I urge Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.” (Philippians 4:2-3)
Paul turns to the community of faith to help these co-workers in the Gospel to work through their differences. The point of agreement was Christ.
Christ helps us take that middle step toward one another. We do not know the outcome of Euodia and Syntyche’s bone of contention. Clearly, the community of faith had an active part in healing rifts before they could “leaven” and spread throughout the congregation. Sometimes we feel that “problem solving” is not our job. As society shifts and cultures change and evolve, it is critical that we grow into the ministry of reconciliation.
This message is excerpted from the Bible study “Treasure in clay jars” by Angela Shannon in the July/August 2016 Gather magazine.
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