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.
Summary: Paul’s thoughts are sometimes complex. In this meditation, we take a 30,000-foot view of Paul’s thoughts in his passage in hopes of seeing the “bigger picture.”
If you have read this blog for any length of time, you are probably shocked to see a meditation that is based on two entire verses at once. Never fear! We will, no doubt, dissect this in future meditations. However, given the complexity of Paul’s thought here, I thought it best to begin with an overview.
Paul’s sentence structure is, by itself, a marvel of linguistic architecture.
It is not uncommon for Paul to state a fact or a series of facts and then say, “Therefore …” when he continues with his conclusion based on those facts. Neither does he shy away from the common logical construct of “If … then ….” In this case, he blends his thoughts into a logical construct that begins with facts and segues into a “Therefore,” which is followed by four “IF” statements before eventually arriving at his “Then,” which is a collection of four individual clauses.
Whew!
To review, the predicate for his logical construct includes the following:
- An admonition to behave in a way that honors Christ. (Phil 1:27)
- The promise that knowledge of such behavior will encourage Paul (and other believers). (Ibid)
- The “sign” that living for Jesus without fear testifies to God’s judgment and salvation. (Phil 1:28)
- That faith involves suffering, just as Paul has suffered. (Phil 1:29-30).
“Therefore …” since we are behaving in a way that honors Christ and our behavior encourages other believers and testifies to God’s judgment and salvation, especially since such faith involves suffering…
Here, he begins with his “if’s.”
- If Christ has encouraged you.
- If you are comforted by his love.
- If you share in the Spirit.
- If you feel tenderness and compassion.
Now, finally, we arrive at the “Then.” This is where Paul asks us to go the extra mile.
He has already asked us to live in a way that honors Jesus. Now, he wants us to do more, and this is where the rubber hits the road.
Paul wants us to be “like-minded.” More than that, he wants us to share the same love, be one in spirit, and be of one mind.
Does he have any idea how hard that is?
Yes, I think he does.
Application: Strive to know Jesus personally.
Food for Thought: How do we, as Christians, achieve like-mindedness?
Thanks for your excellent devotional brother. I like the way you framed it.
I think achieving like mindedness, or unity, is a by product of the right goal as opposed to being a goal unto its own. The goal is Christ, and if we are all tuned to Him and His word, chances are we will be likeminded.
100 pianos tuned to each other are still out of tune as a whole. But 100 pianos all tuned to the same fork are in perfect harmony. We need to be tuned to Jesus and the likemindedness will be the result.
Hebrews 12: 1 – 2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Rich,
I like the piano tuner example! I guess the follow-up question I would have is “How do we get tuned to Christ?”
Here at the blog we try and do that by focusing on God’s Word. The hope is that by harmonizing our understanding of Scripture, we can be drawn closer together in unity in Christ.
To use your example, instead of tuning to the same tuning fork, some pianos will go out into the world saying “tune to me” instead of teaching others how to find the Master Tuning Fork.
The challenge I see is when we as Christians start to filter the Word through various “interpretations” of the Word.
I appreciate that you always point your flock to the Word, but what about those who don’t?
I don’t say this as a criticism, but simply as a point to be aware of. When we are seeking God, it is best — as you point out — to go to the source!
It seems like my comment upset you in some way? If so, I am not sure why?
Brother!
No. Not at all!! I am sorry I gave that impression.
Unity
Thank you, brother!
Yes!! Unity is being drawn together in Christ! 🙂
Fantastic overview and devotion!
I really like Rich’s answer.
How do we, as Christians, achieve like-mindedness?
Ephesians 4:1-7 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
– walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called
— with all humility and gentleness
— with patience
— bearing with one another in love
— grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift
Like-mindedness doesn’t mean we all portray the same part in the production, but that we follow the same director, working together to achieve His purpose and His purpose in us. Like-mindedness comes in humility and service to Christ, allowing the Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us, and using what God has given us to glorify Him.
Ephesians 4:15-16 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Chris,
Well said! I like your point that we have different roles in God’s kingdom while still serving one King.