Coffee With The Lord

Just felt this repost of mine might help a person (or church)…

Needed: A Syzgus…

My Bible reading this morning (Philippians 4.2-3) prompted this reflection. Perhaps it will help someone…

Two key church leaders, Euodia and Syntyche, had a significant disagreement or difference of opinion. These ladies were probably charter members of the congregation in Phillipi. The point is clearly made that they had worked together with Paul, probably in the founding of the church. But something had come between them! An issue had gotten so big that they could not agree with each other – even in the Lord! It was apparently not a doctrinal issued that divided them, but a personal one. Today it might have been any one of the petty issues that Satan capitalizes on to divide congregations: A position in the church, a decorating choice, a construction issue, perceived favoritism with children, an overlooked invitation – you name it, Satan can use it!

There was only one adequate solution. These two ladies needed to be reconciled to each other! Paul first appeals to their mutual relationship to Christ (i.e. “agree…in the Lord!”). Then he asks a third, well-known, and mutually respected spiritual person in the church to serve as a peacemaker to help bring them together. Some scholars believe the word translated “loyal yokefellow” (Syzygus) is actually a proper name. Without help, their continued disagreement and malice toward each other would have a destructive impact on the entire church – the “body of Christ.”

———————–

My story… We had a misunderstanding. Another Christian brother felt like I had wronged him. I felt like he had abused other people and had tried to destroy a ministry. We separated. We didn’t talk to each other for a long, long time. Contrary to popular opinion, time didn’t solve the problem – it never does! One day my telephone rang. It was a respected mutual friend. He appealed to me to make a phone call and seek healing in the relationship. I heeded his appeal, humbled myself, and made the call, forgiveness was sought and then given, and the destructive wound was healed! THANK GOD FOR A “SYZGUS!”

Perhaps you know of a relationship that has been damaged and severed because of a wrong or a misunderstanding. Right now you feel the sweet “nudge” of the Holy Spirit to be a peacemaker – a “Syzygus”… Why don’t you prayerfully seek the right words and the timing of the Holy Spirit and do as He directs… You know, don’t you, that the Bible says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5.9 NIV)?

A prayer:  “Remember Your word [O God] to Your servant – in which You have made me hope!  This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life! (From Psalm 119:49-50)

HYPOCRISY… Claiming (or wanting others to think) that you have moral, spiritual, and ethical beliefs and practices which a person’s actual behavior does not support.

JESUS WARNED ABOUT IT… HERE’S WHAT HE SAID…

“BEWARE OF HYPOCRISY! Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known! Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed from the housetops!” (From Luke 12:1-3)

Hey, we’re not getting away with anything! The Lord knows the true state of things in our lives! If our sin is not confessed [acknowledged to God] and forgiven (cp. 1 John 1:8-9) and true repentance has not occurred (a change of mind, heart and behavior) we’re in trouble!

Oh Lord, may I avoid hypocrisy “like the plague!” Hypocrisy – the sin that “religious” people and their leaders are often guilty of! And if I’ve ever been guilty of it – forgive me! … I repent!