Coffee With The Lord

Know anyone by the name of Syzgus? … Probably not.

Here’s the story… 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! A disagreement had gotten so big that they could not get along with each other – even in the Lord! It was apparently not a doctrinal issue that divided them, but a personal one. Today it might have been any one of the petty issues that Satan capitalizes on to divide and destroy congregations: A position in the church, a decorating decision, a construction issue, perceived favoritism with their 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 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 or true companion” (Syzygus) in Philippians 4:2-3 is actually a proper name. Without his help, their continued disagreement and malice toward each other would have a destructive impact on 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, godly 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 – I asked for forgiveness and it was given, and the destructive wound was healed! Thank God for a Syzygus!  

Perhaps you know of a relationship that has been damaged and severed because of a wrong or a misunderstanding.  Right now you may feel the sweet nudge of the Holy Spirit to be a peacemaker in the situation – a “Syzygus”… Why don’t you prayerfully seek the right words and the timing of the Holy Spirit and do as He directs you… 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)?

Ever hear this?  “Some people just have to learn things the hard way!”

I have a friend who lived a life of rebellion and excess!  Early in his life he was introduced to alcohol and before long it dominated his life… he became an alcoholic!  When you combined the rebellion, the excess, and the alcohol the mixture was toxic and probably would have been deadly.  People tried to talk to him, they warned him, and godly family members and friends prayed fervently for him.  One night during his rebellious living and doing what he called “pleasure” mixed with alcohol he had a terrible car accident and could have been killed!  His life, however, was miraculously spared.  The painful results though, were irreparable damage to his back and constant pain.  But as a result he came to his senses, repented of his sinful and rebellious lifestyle, committed his life to Christ and abandoned alcohol!

Listen… I believe in God’s power to miraculously heal!  I’ve seen God do it over and over again.  But pray as we might, healing did not come to my friend.  One day this is what he told me, “Every time I feel the stab of pain in my back it reminds me that God spared my life and I owe everything to Him!  It reminds me of a very painful lesson I learned: “the way of the transgressor is hard!’” (Proverbs 13:15)

Now I don’t know what your spiritual journey has been like… what you may have had to “learn the hard way.”  I know mine… and believe me, there are a few lessons I’ve had to learn that way – the painful way!  I’m grateful for God’s mercy!  I’m grateful for even the lessons I’ve learned from the discipline of my Heavenly Father and the times “consequences” have taught me important life-lessons!

Here’s how several verses I read from Psalm 119 this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” put it…

“You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.  You are good and do good; teach me your statutes! … It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes… I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.  Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant!” (from Psalm 119:65, 67-68, 71, 75-76)

I believe that!  Thank you Lord for being a wonderful Heavenly Father in every way… Thank you for the lessons I’ve learned the easy way… AND the hard way!  (Let me tell you though, I’d prefer to learn them “the easy way!”)

It been a rough couple of weeks for Bible believing Christians (perhaps its more accurate to say months and even years)! Values godly people embrace and hold dear have been trampled upon by a secular, Christ-rejecting, independence asserting culture. Violent people in the name of a religion have killed innocent children and Christ followers. Biblical values have been flaunted and trampled upon with godless glee. Injustice has had a heyday. Outright lies have been told with the excuse, “Oh, that’s just politics.” How bad can it get?

How should a Christian respond? Francis Schaeffer asked this pertinent question…”How Should We Then Live?” What can we expect moving forward?

This morning in my Bible reading during “coffee with the Lord” I think I got at least a partial answer from what imprisoned Apostle Paul wrote to the Christian congregation in Philippi as they faced the challenges of living out their faith in Christ in the ancient pagan world (Check out Philippians 2:27-30)…

He told them… “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ!” (My comment? Christians live by a completely different set of values – let us never forget it!) He went on to say, “May I hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side-by-side for the faith of the gospel and not frightened in anything by your opponents!” (May God help us to avoid the trap of disunity – fighting with one another rather than focusing on presenting the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to a hurting world in the power of the Holy Spirit!) Then he reminded the Philippian Christians, “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake!” (It is so easy to forget this fact… suffering for the Lord, for His cause, for the sake of righteousness [i.e. for the right reasons – never the wrong] has always been the lot of those who faithfully followed Christ!)

Hey Apostle Paul… Just want to say, “Thank you for reminding me!”