Stress Test Devotional May 25
May 25, 2024
PHILIPPIANS 4:2-3 | 2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 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 coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.
There were conflicts in the Philippian church that were not theological. Euodia and Syntyche were not getting along! This may have been a “good conflict” over how to share the gospel or how to spend precious resources to demonstrate God’s love. It may have been a personality conflict, or a breakdown that began with an insult or a misunderstanding. But regardless of how it began, Paul says it is an issue for the whole community. Churchwide division can begin with a conflict between two people. Yet so can reconciliation! We can strengthen the church by working out problems and offering forgiveness and disagreeing in a way that doesn’t mean we stand over and against someone else. Harmony and joy are connected and harmony requires work!
Are you good at reconciliation?
Gracious God,
Help me pick the right “battles” and to conflict with others in ways that maintain relationship and advance the kingdom.
Amen.
