"One Mind"

  "One Mind"   

   

    

   Born again believers can disagree agreeably.  We can look each other in the eye and say to one another, "I don't see it that way", while at the same time maintaining the humble regard  that honors our Lord and reveals His love.

  

   "Be of one mind, live in peace" (II Corinthians 13:11).  One day, the Apostle Paul's command will be perfectly fulfilled when every Christian will "see Him as He is" (I John 3:2).  This is not that day.  Presently, we "see through a glass darkly" in both individual and corporate terms (I Corinthians 13:12).  Thus, the mandate to "be of one mind" involves our determination to strive for agreement about every detail, while recognizing that we can still "live in peace" when our imperfect vision results in different viewpoints.  The love of Christ that leads us to "love one another" often glimmers most brightly when we continue in respectful graciousness while we acknowledge disagreement (John 15:17).

   Of course, some truths of Scripture are so non-negotiable that Paul pronounced the strongest curse on those who communicated obviously false doctrine (Galatians 1:8-9).  Thus, we do not compromise Truth as we "endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).  We nevertheless seek to maintain the Christ-honoring attitude and demeanor of respectful discourse even we must express our convictions regarding that which we believe to be false doctrine.  "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves" (II Timothy 2:24-25).  Conviction conveyed with humility constitutes a powerful weapon in the arsenal of Truth, revealing a far greater confidence than bluster and vitriol can ever express.

   We look forward to that time when we shall know even as we are known (I Corinthians 13:12).  Our vision will have cleared and we shall all "shall see Him as He is" (I John 3:2).  Until that day, an opportunity presents itself to the body of Christ that by and by will not exist.  In the love of Christ, we can fulfill the command to "be of one mind, live in peace" even when we disagree.  We can determine to respect each other's person and place in Christ regardless of whether we hold the same perspective about Him.  We must.  As things presently stand, none of us know anything yet as we ought to know (I Corinthians 8:2).  Arrogance and unnecessary division die on the altar of that truth, and in the hearts of those seek to be faithfully doctrinal, but not foolishly doctrinaire.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life forevermore."

(Psalm 133:1-3)

Weekly Memory Verse

    His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

(II Peter 1:3)