Philippians 4:1 So, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, my dear friends, keep standing firm in union with the Lord.
2 I beg Evodia and I beg Syntyche to agree with each other in union with the Lord. 3 I also request you, loyal Syzygus, to help these women; for they have worked hard proclaiming the Good News with me, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow-workers whose names are in the Book of Life.
4 Rejoice in union with the Lord always! I will say it again: rejoice! 5 Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near! 6 Don’t worry about anything; on the contrary, make your requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. 7 Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 8 In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy. 9 Keep doing what you have learned and received from me, what you have heard and seen me doing; then the God who gives shalom will be with you.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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Sometimes when we fight for what's right we lose sight of the bigger goal. I like to think that Euodia and Syntyche were arguing over how best to serve the Lord. Maybe they were concerned about efficiency, efficacy or egality.
As a mother of three daughters, I understand how passionate an argument can get, especially among people who are close. Often the most intense arguments are over nuances. Peace returns when we can agree that multiple points can be valid, true and even righteous.
Even when we don't understand each other, Christ Jesus is still present and working in all of us. As the church, our primary goal is not to be right, but to spread the love of Jesus.
Today, whatever discord we witness between people, let's look for signs of excellence and purity and whatever is worthy of praise. When we see those things, we see Jesus.
Creator God, in our differences, we see a fuller picture of you. Help us to appreciate our differences and harness their energy for greater effectiveness in sharing your good news. Amen.
Jill Bergman, '03
Associate Pastor, First Lutheran Church, Columbia Heights, Minn.
Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
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 co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.
5 Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.
6 Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
9 Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (New Revised Standard Version)
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The Luther Seminary
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