Of One Mind

Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 2:2

In a day of division and disunity, where will we find what will bring us together?  In speaking to the Philippians, Paul emphasizes what brings the people of God together.  Within three verses from our text, Paul will bring their attention to the mind of Christ.  He will urge, ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.’  Herein lies the key to the whole discussion of what brings us together.  It is the imitation of Christ which enables us to truly be ‘of one mind.’  Paul describes the characteristic of this mind when he counsels, ‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.’  These are not characteristics which are natural to any of us.  As the Holy Spirit uses the means of grace to make Christ real unto us, we begin to more thoroughly understand the mind of Christ and imitate the spirit of Christ.  Our attachment to selfish ambition dies by degrees.  We begin to engage in the life which Paul has described earlier in Philippians, ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.’  If we would be of one mind, it will be by our looking to Christ.  Nothing else will transform us from pursuing self-interest.  Selfishness is inextricably associated with sin, and is the great divider.  A sight of Christ leads us to selflessness which unites us around Him.

Our good and wise God,
we rejoice that You reveal unto us
what we most need.
We praise You that Christ satisfies those needs
and thus brings us together with one mind.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning