Recently, I found a devotional plan through my Bible app on the book of Philippians. It is one of my favorite books of the Bible, so I thought I’d give it a try. Today it covered a few verses from chapter 2. I have read this book many times, have lots of verses underlined or highlighted in my Bible and have several verses from Philippians memorized. As I started reading verse 2 however, I stopped. I read it again. Something really stuck out to me. And I had some thoughts on this short verse.
The apostle Paul is the author of the book, and he wrote this while in prison. Verse 2 says, “Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Even though Paul is talking to those in Philippi as he writes this, it very well could be the thought God has. Would it/does it not also bring Him joy when His children—Christ-followers, those who say they love Him—get along and live in unity with each other?
Other Bible verses talk about how good it is when us saints are living in harmony with each other and as far as it depends on me/each of us individually, we are to live in harmony with each other. I’m sure it brings a smile to His face when we are doing that! Jesus said the world will know who His disciples are by our love for each other. He didn’t say the world will know who His disciples are if we vote for the right candidate or agree about this or that. But it is how we love each other. And if we are showing love to each other, we will be living in unity with one another. Doesn’t mean we can’t have a difference of opinion (and yes, there are some solid truths we should be in agreement on.) We can express our difference opinion kindly, calmly and in a respectful manner. And if we are treating our fellow Christ followers with love, respect and kindness, I’m thinking that will spill over to other areas of our lives—home, work, family, neighbors, the grocery store, etc. S
Sure, there are going to be things that come up that need to be addressed, things said or done to use that are wrong and will need to be dealt with in a Biblical way. But what an example we can be to a dying, lost, hate-filled world if us Christ followers not just claim to love God, but show it by how we treat our fellow saints. That certainly would be living in a counter-cultural way! How much could we further and expand the Kingdom if we lived in unity , in one accord with each other. How much joy it would bring to our Heavenly Father!
I still have to work on this. It’s not always easy. But I wonder how it would change things if we all strive to bring joy to God by living in love and being in one accord with each other. Dear Lord, help us all to represent You well always but especially in this area.
