United in Mind in Christ, United to Praise Our God

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5 – 6

In the midst of human relationships, there will be conflicts and disagreements. In our response to such conflicts and disagreements, we need the patience of God in our lives to respond in a way that will glorify Him. Proper response to human conflicts need supernatural help. When we fail to realize this, we fail in our human relationships. Paul’s prayer for the church at Rome and the Christian assembly there is three-fold.

Strive to have the same mind  Like-mindedness require effort and God’s patience, does it not? Yet, it is the meaning of the inspired word of God, that we exercise to be likeminded. Because of the sinfulness of our natures, our understanding is darkened, we are unable to fully understand all aspects of a situation, we are unable to fully understand the viewpoint of the other, and we are unable to therefore think of an appropriate response. We need to exercise humility and a heart to seek the Lord for the same opinion so that the church of God can be united for His glory.

This sameness of mind must be according to Christ Jesus. Human unity and likemindedness does not produce the desired fruit of godly unity. There must be an agreement on the fundamentals for the Biblical faith: that the Bible is the final authority on all matters of faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16), that the Lord Jesus is God (John 1:1,14), we are His church and assembly, and therefore we are to do His bidding (Acts 20:28). We are all members of the same body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:28) and are to help and to hold, to live for and to lighten the load (Galatians 6:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:18). We are all brethren and, therefore, if there are any conflicts, our minds should be to immediately reconcile (Colossians 3:13) and forgiveness. Personal opinion and fleshly wisdom only bring division and strife. Heavenly wisdom is easy to be entreated and, therefore, the oneness of mind is quickly formed.

The oneness of mind, produces corporate unity in worship. Unity in an assembly’s worship is one of the many things that bring glory to Christ and our Heavenly Father. It shows His control and rule in the congregation, that all the members are in subjection to Him. The heart of every Christian is tender and sensitive to the Holy Spirit and plays the tunes of life and unity by the wand of the Holy influence of Christ. Just as a wave of the an orchestral conductor’s hand causes the different musical instruments to play a harmonious tune, our Godly unity is pleasing to His ears and acceptable to Him. This glorifies God because it also honours His name among the Gentiles – non-believers – that the people of God should love one another much. By this shall all men know that we are His disciples.

Lord, we pray as an assembly of God, in the North of Singapore, as Ambassadors of Your light and love of the Gospel, that we will be of one mind and one heart and with one mouth glorify You among non-believers. Let it be so, Lord, for your glory.

Written by: Pastor Johnny Tan
Edited by: Timothy Lee
Image Credit: Tobias Wolter