Philippians 2:1-2 “ If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with 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 purpose.”
Have you ever stopped to think about the diversity within your biological family? I have 2 siblings. There were three of us born to our parents yet we all have completely different personalities, diverse ways of dealing with frustrations that arise and different thought processes. We have come from the same parents and have shared the same upbringing yet what we have taken away from those influences has impacted us in very different ways. We look different, we act different, and we each are gifted to do completely different things. Though the differences are very apparent, we share a common bond that is stronger than our individual idiosyncrasies.
Much in the same way, the body of Christ is made up of individuals that are each uniquely gifted and bring different view points to the body of believers. There are various approaches to worship, different preferences to translations of the Bible and all come together with different experiences in which they draw from; however, it is very important that our focus isn’t fixed on our superficial differences. We must keep our focus on the fundamentals that bind us together. We are saved by God’s grace, given a new life in Christ and enabled by the Holy Spirit according to the purposes He has already laid out for us. In being like-minded and seeking to love one another at all costs we exemplify the love of Jesus to this lost and dying world. Our joy is made complete when we live, love, and labor together with a unifying spirit to further the Kingdom!
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Dear Lord,
It is so natural and easy to let our differences divide us and let conflict and bitterness lead. Please forgive us when we give in
to the natural tendencies that this world encourages instead of fixing our eyes on You. Please make us instruments of your peace and help us to work towards a common bond of love with our brethren. The world will know us by our love so I pray that Your love for others will pour forth from our lives in everything we say and do. May we live, love and labor together displaying Your peace in all that we say and do.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen