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ELEMENTS OF LIKEMINDEDNESS (I)
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
Philippians 2:1-2

1 Peter 3:8-12

 

“…having the same love…”

 

ELEMENTS OF LIKEMINDEDNESS (I)
 
While we know that all believers ought to be likeminded one with another, we also know that it is a very difficult endeavour. We are all different, with our own background, education, personalities, and characteristics. However, the fact that the Word of God exhorts us to be likeminded shows that it is not an impossible task.
 
In the second half of Philippians 2:2, Paul explained some of the key elements of what likemindedness entails that we need to take note of: First, we must have the same selfless, unconditional, sacrificial love of God. This is the love that we learn of from God and His Word. All Christians are called to love God, and to love one another with this same love. It means that we love our neighbour as much as we love ourselves. We care greatly for the spiritual welfare of the person next to us. We are so devoted in love to each other that we would willingly serve, minister to them, to spend and be spent.
 
Do you have this same love? Do you love those around you enough to overlook flaws, faults in others, or do you allow pride and self to get in the way? Will you decide to love one another, putting aside whatever personality differences or biases that may come in the way, disrupting the peace and preventing unity? That is the love that God has for us – unconditional love, whereby He chooses to love us even when we were enemies of God.
 
This does not mean that we overlook sin or error. Rather, because we love, we would lovingly admonish, chasten or guide the person to come to the understanding of the error of his ways and turn to the Lord. If any doctrinal differences arise between brethren, in love, we would see to better understand the issue at hand, and prayerfully seek the guidance of God’s Word and His Holy Spirit to come to the right understanding of the truth. Only then can we be likeminded, for we all have the same love for God, and desire to have the same knowledge of His truth.
 
THOUGHT: “Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all sins.” (Prov 10:12)

PRAYER: May I learn to love others as Thou lovest me, Father.

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