Philippians 2: Your life in Christ
makes you strong, and his love comforts you. You have fellowship with the
Spirit, and you have kindness and compassion for one another. 2 I urge you, then, to make me
completely happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and being
one in soul and mind.
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When a car was stuck
in the snow, the remedy was to “rock it out.” I and others volunteered to help.
Some got in the front, some in the back. When a person yelled “Push!”, we all began
to push. The car went nowhere. Turns out we were supposed to push from the front,
then the back to create a “rocking” motion. And, to top it off, the driver had
his foot on the brake.
- I felt I was strong and wanted to help.
- I was doing my part as an individual but things were still not quite right.
- I was part of a group, but we were not united in what we were supposed to be doing.
Paul compliments
those who have dedicated their lives to CHRIST. He noticed their reliance on
the LORD, their kindness and compassion. He then urged the group to take it to
another level. Be united in love, soul and mind.
My Observations
- It is easy for me to love CHRIST alone, but harder to fit into many different styles.
- It is easy for me to be comforted by the HOLY SPIRIT, but harder to share the same love GOD wants me to have with others.
- It is easy for me to have kindness and compassion for others, but harder for me to be one in CHRIST in “soul and mind.”
Unity is highly
important to GOD. I mean, HE even said the greatest commandment is to “Love one
another.” Unfortunately, like the car stuck in the snow example, we get
together, meaning well, and start doing things as individuals. Our individual
efforts sometimes work against the overall goal.
BUT GOD has a remedy.
“Have the same thoughts, share the same love, and be one in soul and mind.”
Easy? No! But fortunately there is a starting point, namely JESUS. The world
has many answers that are temporary or done with hidden motives. GOD wants me
to take the step to unify with groups that do not look or act like me. It is
hard, but I am glad GOD appreciates it.
Challenge
- What compliments do you notice in this passage?
- Can you identify with some or all of these encouraging words?
- Will you seek to take the next step by figuring out how to unify in CHRIST without making other people follow your thinking today?
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