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A SINGLE HEART (IV)
LORD’S DAY, MAY 23
Philippians 2:1-11

Ephesians 4:1-6

 

“Let this mind be in you, which was

also in Christ Jesus.”

 

A SINGLE HEART (IV)
 
Helps to a single heart (continued). On an individual level, we are taught in Scripture how we also may do our part in working toward “singleness of heart.” Writing to the Philippian church, knowing that there were some problems of disunity in that congregation (cf. Phil 4:2), the Apostle Paul exhorts them to “be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Phil 2:2).
 
The greatest barrier standing in the way of this is pride. It is pride that disregards others and elevates one’s own concerns above all. It is pride that leads to “strife and vainglory” (v 3a). Therefore the beating heart of Christian unity lies in humility: “in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (v 3b).
 
Ultimately, this is nothing less than a call to Christ-likeness. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (v 5). It was He who left His exalted station, and “made himself of no reputation,” even taking upon Himself “the form of a servant” when He was “made in the likeness of men” (v 7). It was He who “humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (v 8). And did He not suffer all this that we might be reconciled to God “in one body,” all “fellowcitizens” now with one another, of the same “household of God,” and “builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph 2:16-22)? Do we not then despise His sacrifice and misappropriate His gift when we allow “strife and vainglory” to rend what He has purchased with His own blood?
 
Dear reader, let us examine ourselves. Are we in our own churches helping or hindering that “singleness of heart” which ought to prevail in every congregation? Are we proudly clinging to some selfish conceit, and so standing in the way of unity? Ah, but how can we allow this to continue, if we are all members of “one body,” filled with “one Spirit,” and “called in one hope” of our calling, if there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Eph 4:4-6)? Let us lay aside our pride that we all may enjoy “singleness of heart”!
 
THOUGHT: Am I prepared to suffer for my Lord?

PRAYER: Father, I look forward to Thy promise of eternal life.

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