18. Like-minded…
Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Philippians 2:1-2
It is worth remembering that these letters from Paul were, in the main, written, not to individuals, but to all the members of a particular church. Imagine you are gathered together in the meeting place of the church at Philippi. A letter has arrived from Paul and one of the church’s leaders is reading it out to you all giving you instructions as to how to live life together, encouraging you to be united. (Read Philippians 2: 1-13).
In any sports team, orchestra, medical team in an operating theatre, members need to be united with one common goal, working together as a single unit to produce a winning game, a beautiful symphony, a successful outcome for the patient on the table. I have attended many concerts and can’t imagine what they would have been like if each player had played their own tune. I have also had a number of major surgeries and am so thankful that the teams of doctors and nurses worked as one to fix me up rather than each doing their own thing without regard for each other (or me on the operating table!).
Yet, this is what many churches are doing. There is no unity, no common purpose. A group of people each with their own agenda expecting that everyone else will follow them.
The key phrase in these verses is “having the same love”. If we all have the love of Christ in us and function out of that love, then we can become one and our music is sweet to the ear. Having the same love means we defer to the common good. Our desire ceases to be to push our own agenda but to work together to see God’s Kingdom established on earth. We begin to care for each other. We are willing to sacrifice our own agendas so that the church can truly become the own bride of Christ.
I belong to a church that has a united and common approach to how we serve our community both locally, in our city, and beyond across the seas. Whilst each member has individual goals and dreams which are working themselves out in their lives, the church, as a united body, also has goals and dreams that we, as members, have agreed to work towards together. I am excited by this opportunity to be part of something bigger, united in the love of Christ.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that you have given us your uniting love so that we can be your church together serving a world in need. My prayer is that we will come together in that love, setting aside our own agendas and worldly desires. Forgive us for putting ourselves ahead of the common good and give us, afresh, a deep and sacrificial love for each other.
Amen
Action: Today consider your part in your church. Are you seeking your own agenda or is your desire to see God’s will done as you join with your fellow Christians in love? How is love demonstrated in your church? How are you a part of that?
Journal your thoughts…
