Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. – Philippians 2:2
Have you ever been to a family gathering where the tension was thicker than Aunt Jane’s gravy? Many people shudder at the thought of attending a family reunion due to relational conflicts. Loving each other from a distance seems the easiest solution. Sadly, there are similarities in God’s family. Disagreements arise and often the solution is to attend another church instead of working out issues. This is not to say that God does not lead members to other churches that are better suited in beliefs, mission, or worship styles. However, if anyone should work on bettering their relationships, it is the family of God, where the greatest commandments are to love God and each other and where the Holy Spirit dwells within.
The early church did not have the convenience of going to another part of town to attend a church service. They were basically stuck with each other like a biological family. Still, Paul encouraged them to practice their common love for Christ and develop like-minded unity. The Bible instructs believers in the way to handle disagreements. For example, Jesus says if you have something against someone deal with them first, then bring witnesses (Matthew 18:15-17). Gossiping to a third party can damage relationships among all three.
Jesus prayed for unity among His disciples, that they may be one as He and the Father are One (John 17:11). Echo the Lord’s prayers for the unity of the Church, from your local body, to your community, in the U.S. and beyond. Pray that God’s love and light will shine so brightly in the church that it will spark a revival so that this country as a whole will turn to Jesus.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 2:2
Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 4:1-12
4 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
