In chapter one of Philippians we learned of the joy of growing together and the joy of the Gospel. This joy increases and develops as we strive to be right with God and right with each other. Right relationships are the key to joyful Christian living. As such relationships are developed there is great joy in being of one mind. In verse one of chapter two Paul says, “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy…”^[1] As Paul leads into talking about being of one mind, he says that if the church is together in the fellowship of the Gospel and growing together in the Gospel then our joy will be fulfilled in our unity. In verses 1-4 we learn how we are to live with one mind and in humility.

Our focus begins in verse two which reads, “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”^[2] The Bible Knowledge Commentary says, “On the basis of what was presented in verse 1, Paul exhorted his readers to show in practical ways the unity which was theirs in Christ. Their expression of that spiritual unity would make his joy complete.”^[3] Living with one mind involves four basic principles: being likeminded, having the same love, being in one accord, and being of one mind or purpose.

Likeminded. To be likeminded is to be united in what you believe and how you view the world. As a church, we share the same basic beliefs and embrace a Biblical worldview. If we do not share the same beliefs, division ensues. This is why a church must have a basic doctrinal statement they agree to along with various positional statements that gives clarity to specific issues. It is important that a requirement is given to all potential church members that they agree to and sign a commitment to adhere to the church’s doctrine and positions, along with the church’s policies and procedures. What are some of the basic things in which we must be likeminded? First, we must be likeminded in our view of the scriptures. A church cannot properly function if the people have varying views of the scripture. Yes, there may be varying views on certain topics such a Bible prophecy, etc. However, there must a fundamental unity concerning the authority of the scriptures. We must be likeminded in having a high view of scripture. We must be firm in our fundamental belief in the inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of the scriptures. The Baptist Faith and Message states, “The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation”[4]. You see, the Bible trumps everything. Some churches put their bylaws above the Bible. Some churches put their pastor’s word above the Bible. This ought not be! The Bible is the Word of God. It is the ultimate authority. To experience the joy of one mind we must be likeminded in our view of the scriptures. Secondly, we must be likeminded concerning the virgin birth. I believe that for one to come to salvation he or she must believe all that the Bible teaches concerning Jesus. Therefore, they must believe in the virgin birth. The virgin birth was necessary for Jesus to be born sinless. Sin is in the seed of man. Therefore, if he was conceived from the seed of a man he would’ve had a sin nature. Therefore, the virgin birth was necessary. As a church we must be likeminded concerning this very important doctrine. Third, we must be likeminded concerning the resurrection of Jesus. My friend, we serve a risen Savior. He is alive and well and seated on the throne in glory! The resurrection solidifies our faith. If it were not for the resurrection the cross of Christ would be of none affect. Therefore, believing in the resurrection is essential to our unity. We must be likeminded when it comes to the resurrection of our Lord. Finally, we must be likeminded in our soteriology. Soteriology is simply the doctrine of salvation. I believe this a huge issue in our day. There are many, even amongst Southern Baptist circles that do not hold to a correct soteriological view. A church cannot be divided on this issue. If there is division when it comes to our view of salvation it will create tremendous confusion and would hinder our witness in the world. I believe that a traditional Baptistic soteriology is the correct view. That the atonement of Jesus is not limited to a select few. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world. The gift of salvation is available to all mankind. We are gifted with a free will, therefore, we must choose to accept Christ as our Savior and to believe in Him. This, my friend, is essential. We cannot compromise on this issue. We must be likeminded in our soteriology.

Same Love. Paul says that for us to experience the joy of one mind we must have the same love. Matthew 12:34-40 says, “But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”^[5] We are to love God with every fiber of our being. We are to love God with all that we are. As we love Him, His love will fill us to overflowing in such a way that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Do you love God more than anything? Is He everything to you? Do you love others with the love of Christ? Do you put others ahead of yourself? Do you love others more than you love yourself? It is this love, this unconditional love of Jesus that brings us together. To have the joy of one mind we must have the same love.

One Accord. To be of one accord means to be of ‘similar sentiment’. It means that we think the same way. We are to have the same worldview. It means to be together not just on spiritual matters but also on practical matters. To be of one accord is to be on the same page. It is to be in agreement. Now here is the thing: it is possible to be in agreement and not agree. There are times when we may not see eye to eye. There may be details of which we do not agree with one another. However, even though we may not agree on everything, we should be in agreement. We should be of one accord. How does this look in a practical way in the setting of a church? Let’s suppose there is a decision the church is needing to make. There are different views on what the decision should be. There is something presented to the church to discuss and then to vote. Whatever the outcome, we must accept it and embrace it. Suppose you vote against something and it passes. What should be your response? It should not be to have a child-like temper tantrum. It is not to continue to push the issue and state your view. Unless it is a doctrinal issue, your response should be to accept the results and put aside your differences and support the church in their decision. Suppose it goes the other way. There is something being presented and you support it but it does not pass. How should you respond? You should accept the outcome. Cease from talking about it anymore and embrace the direction of the church. Once a decision is made, all arguments should cease and everyone should unite together and be supportive and submit to whatever decision is made. This is what it means to be in one accord. It is not to agree on everything, however, it is to be in agreement with one another. It is by being of one accord that we experience the joy of being of one mind.

One Mind. Paul’s reference of being of one mind in verse 2 is to be of one purpose. What is the purpose of the church? The purpose of the church is to glorify God through the furtherance of His Kingdom. How does His Kingdom advance? Through being missional, developing disciples, equipping, and sending. In all of this, God is to be glorified. It is imperative that we have one purpose. If there is a question concerning anything we do, we should refer to our purpose. If we are doing something that does not fulfill our purpose, then it is not worth doing. This is that whole aspect of making the main thing the main thing. We should constantly keep our purpose and our vision in front of us. We should be reminded of it often. The church cannot have the joy of one mind if we do not have the same purpose.

There is great joy found in the unity of believers. May God help us to be likeminded, have the same love, be of one accord, and focused on one purpose.

^[1] The New King James Version (Php 2:1). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[2] The New King James Version (Php 2:2). (1982). Thomas Nelson.

^[3] Lightner, R. P. (1985). Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 653). Victor Books.

[4] Baptist Faith & Message 2000

^[5] The New King James Version (Mt 22:34–40). (1982). Thomas Nelson.