TUESDAY October 1, 2024
Be of the Same Mind
I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
Philippians 4:2-3
In the church of Philippi, one cause of division was two women who did not get along with each other. Paul did not state the reason why they were at odds, but it seemed believers were taking sides which expanded the problem. Their behavior had the potential of causing a bigger division in the church. Division needs to be nipped in the bud right away––it cannot be allowed to grow.
Euodia and Syntyche were exhorted to be of the same mind; otherwise, Christian testimony would be ruined. It would give the church a black eye, so to speak, among the non-believers. Paul trusted in the authority of the Word of God to sort these issues. He knew forgiveness was the only way to restore the situation.
At times, there are little schisms that rise up in churches. Sadly, they add burdens to the hearts and minds of church leadership. They cause such a headache and heartache to the church. They extinguish joy. Division destroys the witness of Christ in a community. Non-believers will begin to question the validity of Christianity because they see disunity, instead of unity.
Division-makers are people who are not submitted to the Word of God or the elders of a church. They do not have the mind of Christ; they have their own minds. Instead of being of one mind with other believers, they are self-seeking and often have their own agenda. They fail to work together as a team.
When the church, the pulpit, and the pew get united, and God’s people are all of one mind, Christianity is like a red-hot ball rolling over the earth, and all the hosts of death and hell cannot stand before it.
~D.L. Moody~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
