One Mind

With an intense interest in the spiritual welfare of the Christians at Philippi, Paul exhorted them to be of the same mind.  There were two women who were very influential in the church at Philippi who apparently were at odds.  He mentions them specifically in Philippians 4:2, “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.” He wrote to all the Christians in Philippi that he desired to hear,
“that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27).  He encouraged them to make this desire a reality, saying, “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).

Now Paul was not saying that each member of the congregation had to be a clone of the others.   There will always be differences in matters of opinion among different individuals.  If there were not these little differences, then we would cease to be individuals.  He was saying that in the important issues, in matters of faith, there should be no division.  Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).  God’s word settles the issue whatever it may be.  Paul exhorted, “let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing” (Philippian 3:16).  Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord is the uniting truth of Christians.  It means that the Lord’s ways are to be followed rather than our own ways.  To become a Christian one confesses belief in the foundational truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matthew 16:16; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10).  To have faith in this statement means that Jesus calls the shots.

A mature Christian is not about promoting self.  On the priority list, mature Christians will place self-interests below the spiritual needs of others.  They do this because they are imitating Jesus (Philippians 2:5).  Jesus is the epitome of selflessness in that He gave up the glory of heaven to come to earth and die for the sins of the world (Philippians 2:6-8).

Those who are earthly-minded are unable to be like Christ for they are only focused on the here and now.  The enemies of Christ are described this way by Paul, as those, “whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:19).  Heaven is far too great to forfeit by pursuing petty rivalries with other children of God.  If our focus is on going to heaven and helping others go there as well, then we will be united with the mind of Christ.

-Mark Day