Euodia and Syntyche were the apostle Paul’s fellow workers. They had labored with him in the gospel. Since Paul was far from taking just anyone as his fellow workers, we can be certain these two were excellent, God-fearing, and wholehearted souls. They had not just been fellow workers in a leisurely way but had labored together with him (and Paul did not just call anything “laboring” either!). And yet these dear fellow workers of his had had a falling out with each other, and to such a terrible degree that they were not just of a different opinion (which is still relatively innocent), but they were even of a different mind. They had been deceived by Satan so that their different opinions—about how to approach a matter, or whatever it may have been—had influenced their minds. In other words, they had not kept their spiritual balance. As is most often the case, it wasn’t just one of them who had crossed the line or for whom it was difficult. He implored both of them to be of the same mind. It is imperfect to have various opinions about one and the same thing, but it is sin to bear a grudge against each other because of differing opinions. There is no need for the latter to arise, even if the first is always present. Nevertheless, it is incredibly easy for it to occur. When it does arise, the person has fallen in sin; he has committed a transgression of the law, a transgression of the laws and commandments of the Spirit that are written in heart and mind. Then the person has transgressed the law of love, the very law that is the bond of perfection; he has transgressed the laws of longsuffering, forbearance, humility, and wisdom. Then he has not observed the commands, “Live in peace!” and “Be of one mind!” This is how easy it is, even for God’s fellow workers, to become sinners, which they absolutely should not be. On the contrary, they should instruct others by way of example and word to keep these laws instead of breaking them. People usually slide into these transgressions of the law without noticing it. This is the very reason it is so difficult for them to acknowledge this particular sin in their lives. How good it is when there is a true companion, someone who both can and will help Euodia and Syntyche! Then it is crucial for Euodia and Syntyche to accept the help and not be obstinate, hardening their hearts, so that the vessel breaks. It is useless to feel, think, or speculate at all. You must stand face to face with the commandments of the Lord and Savior (2 Pet. 3:2) and acknowledge your transgression of the law—your sin—and turn away from it. Euodia and Syntyche were both involved in the matter, and we can say that they were therefore unable to come to the right conclusion in the matter. That is why they were unqualified, and had all the more reason to listen to a true companion. A wise person is easily entreated, and with the humble is wisdom. In other words, it is a test of their humility. Oh, that every Euodia and every Syntyche would pass this test.!Elias Aslaksen

“God is the Lord, and He has given us light; bind the sacrifice [at solemn feasts] with cords to the horns of the altar.” Ps. 118:27. There were many kinds of sacrifices in the old covenant, and the most important ones were sacrifices for sin. However, they also had sacrifices of thanksgiving. Some sacrifices were mandatory, but there were also sacrifices that were voluntary. In the new covenant Jesus has become our sacrifice for sin; He is the Lamb of God who bore the sins of the world. Through Him we can receive forgiveness for our sins and come into contact with God. Yet Jesus speaks about more than that; He speaks about following Him. Then we must also become a sacrifice. We have to lose our life in order to find it again. We sense that if we are to gain victory over sin, something has to die in us. Then Jesus becomes our High Priest, and He takes the inner sacrifices that have to be offered up if we are to have victory over sin. These are mandatory sacrifices, and if they are not being offered, everyone will notice it. We also have voluntary sacrifices. When God gives us light, when He blesses us, we become thankful, and we make promises to God. This is a solemn feast day in our life, and our heart is willing to make a sacrifice. Now the exhortation to us is: “Bind the sacrifice at solemn feasts with cords to the horns of the altar.” It is necessary for us to bind these voluntary sacrifices firmly to the altar, because it is so easy to forget our promises to God. It is so easy to take back these solemn sacrifices, and there are many people who have done so, in which case it would have been better by far if they had never made that promise. God did not require anything from them, but because God had blessed them; their hearts were free and thankful. They sensed perfection, and they brought their sacrifices. But then the trial came, and they had regrets. That is why it is so important to bind the sacrifice at solemn feasts with cords to the horns of the altar—bind it so firmly that you cannot take it back. Ananias and Sapphira brought such a solemn feast sacrifice. They sold their possessions to give the money to the apostles. It was not required of them, but they sensed that it was the perfect thing to do. It was a voluntary sacrifice, but they did not bind it firmly enough to the altar. When the time came for them to give the money to the apostles, they put something aside, and they died right there for everyone to see. Acts 5:1-10. Demas had forsaken everything and followed Paul. It was a voluntary sacrifice, but it was not bound firmly enough to the altar. He took the sacrifice back by forsaking Paul because he loved the present world. 2 Tim. 4:10. We can be certain that he did not forsake God by not believing in Him anymore, but he thought that being with Paul was too limiting. He wanted to have a few more comforts in this world. Many people bring their thanksgiving offerings like this on their solemn feast days. They give to God’s work, they decide to help this or that person, etc., but they do not bind it firmly enough to the altar. They take it back; but if they cannot do that, they remember what they have sacrificed and will not leave the sacrifice on the altar until it is consumed. They reckon with a reward for what they have given. They speak to others about it to get it back by way of honor. Such people are marked and slain by God. It would have been better if they had never brought a sacrifice at the solemn feast. We have to bring voluntary sacrifices to be a blessing for the others. Many people rarely, if ever, bring voluntary sacrifices, which is why they are never a blessing, either. Therefore, when God gives you light, and you see that which is perfect, do not spare, but bring your sacrifice to the solemn feast and bind it firmly with cords to the horns of the altar. Let your sacrifice be consumed so that you never even think of it. Then you will be a great blessing for all mankind. 2 Cor. 8:1-5.Sigurd Bratlie