Philippians 4:2-3 (NIV)
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.
Euodia and Syntyche were two women in Philippi who had done great things for God’s Kingdom, both at Paul’s side, and under the leadership of Clement, one of the leaders in the church there. They had been fruitful branches.
But now that had changed. Conflict had arisen between these women of God, pushing them apart. This in itself was terrible, to have two sisters in Christ separated by conflict. But, as is nearly always the case, their conflict was starting to fray the unity of the whole Church, with people choosing sides and carrying the hurt of these women on their own shoulders.
Paul had heard of this conflict, and took the opportunity to step directly into the middle, taking the role of intermediary, and personally urging these two women who had accomplished so much to set aside their differences and to mend fences. Whatever their differences were, they could not be allowed to overshadow the work of the Kingdom that they had done together, the kingdom work that was still to be done, and the unity of the Church.
Father, how easy it is to begin to live in our emotions instead of in Your Kingdom. People who live in close and vulnerable proximity, as is common, and even expected in the church, can easily hurt each other, often without intending it, or even without realizing that it has happened. And, as you point out, in those times, it is easy to allow those hurts to foster and grow, even to the point where it begins to polarize the various groups within the church, which puts a sudden stop to their witness and the effectiveness of their ministry. Help us, Lord, to be vigilant in our own congregations for this kind of division, so that we can catch it early. And help us all to bear the identity of peacemaker, so that we can rightfully be identified as Your children (Matthew 5:9). Amen.