Being of the Same Mind

Introductory questions to chew

What do I know about the mind of Christ?

Am I "thus minded" or am I "otherwise minded"?

Practically, what must I do to attain more of His "same mind"?

Likeminded!

Philippians 2:2 declares the wish that we be likeminded -- "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." I suspect this refers back to 1:27 -- "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that . . . ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." So we must share this similar sentiment and ambition: Our lives will be consistent with the Gospel. On that we will stand fast, for that we will work together. We will know no lesser purpose.

This kind of likemindedness loudly, clearly, and insistently calls us to be of the same mind in our humble consideration of each other, in our humiliation for another's benefit, in our unflinching commitment to the Gospel, and in our desire to put Jesus absolutely first.

Of

As in "Of one mind" (2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 2:2; 1 Peter 3:8) and "of the same mind" (Romans 12:16; Philippians 4:2).

How shall we understand that two-letter word, that tiny little preposition, that strange arrangement whose sound does not at all match its appearance?

Of could be understood as "possessing" -- having one mind, having the same mind.

Of also could be understood as "possessed by" -- belonging to one Mind, belonging to the same Mind.

Now let's apply that to verse two in today's text, making some other adjustments as well.

"I beseech [Euodias and Syntyche, Mark and Delbert, Jake and Lyle, Joe and Ron, you and him, you and her], that they [have] the same mind in the Lord."

"I beseech [Euodias and Syntyche, Mark and Delbert, Jake and Lyle, Joe and Ron, you and him, you and her], that they [belong to] the same mind in the Lord."

Gulp! I wonder how I'm supposed to implement that!!

Or maybe we're actually doing pretty good at that...but don't realize it because we are so focused on some of our less significance differences and disagreements!

Glimpses into the mind of Christ

"I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29).

"neither was guile found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22).

"When he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:23).

"the meekness and gentleness of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:1).

"not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:56).

"A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth" (Isaiah 42:3).

"made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7).

"I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27).

"ye should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15).

"for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" (2 Corinthians 8:9).

"came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

"My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34).

"for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame" (Hebrews 12:2).