Chapter 2, Verse 2 “…complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.”
“Want to make me happy?” Paul is asking. Then let me know that we are all on the same page in our service to God. Paul had dealt with tremendous adversity both from without and within the body of Christ. In light of their present circumstances, unity would be of the utmost importance. We must keep in mind that Paul is aware of enemies within the framework of Jews, false brethren, and pagan governments. Splintered or divided Christians would be easy prey for these servants of Satan.
Paul is not suggesting that they agree on every iota of action but he is suggesting that they understand the need to have each other’s backs. Against evil they must act as one. Whatever minor differences that might exist between them, those differences must not break their unity towards each other. He makes this plain in the next verse.
Sometimes, teachers will use this passage to say that we have to agree on every Christian doctrine and thus refute the investigation of truth. We know that universal agreement on every word of the scriptures is impossible. Hundreds of years of discussion and debate have proven that. But we can have universal agreement to live in the same love, mind, and spirit.
Task for Today: As much as you can control, strive for unity in the faith. Be one with others who are a part of the family of God. Do not set yourself up as the one whom everyone else has to agree with. Preach, teach, and study with the unity of the Holy Spirit guiding your actions. Let brotherly love continue, even if you disagree with a brother’s understanding of the scripture.
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