Being Like Minded

"Being like minded" and "Having the SAME mind" can be tragically different.  

Publicans and drunkards share a "like mind".  

Sadducees and Pharisees both share in two differing like-minded ideologies.  

Liberals share a like mind with other liberals and conservatives enjoy like-minded cooperation with fellow conservatives.  But, none of these groups share in the SAME mind!  

Believers are called to something beyond having a similar mind to others; we are called to be of the SAME MIND AS CHRIST!  

Here is how Paul described this SAME mind that we are to have:

"But the God of patience and encouragement give you the same thing to mind among one another -ACCORDING TO CHRIST JESUS!"  

 

We are all to have the SAME MIND as Christ Jesus - NOT just a mind LIKE our closest friends or our own denomination.  

 

Even criminals can share a like mind with their buddies. There is nothing inherently spiritual about being close to a select or preferred group, if that group does not have THE SAME MIND ACCORDING TO CHRIST towards others different than themselves.  The MIND ACCORDING TO CHRIST Jesus  was described this way in the preceding verses -

 

"We then  who are strong should bear with the scruples of the weak and NOT TO PLEASE OURSELVES.  Let each of us PLEASE HIS NEIGHBOR FOR HIS GOOD, leading to edification.  For even Christ DID NOT PLEASE HIMSELF..."  

 

May The Lord give us a true revelation on the dynamic difference between sharing a soulish like mind and having the same MIND OF THE SPIRIT "ACCORDING TO CHRIST."  

 

Sharing soulish similarities allows and fosters carnal criticisms, puffed up prejudices, and doctrinal divisiveness.  

 

The mind of Christ is to make ALL believers PERFECTLY ONE!  Only those who have the SAME MIND ACCORDING TO CHRIST JESUS will be able to experience " living in ONE accord", so that with ONE mouth we might glorify God our Father and The Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore let us receive one another exactly like Christ Jesus received us unto the glory of God!  

 

May The Lord give us HIS SAME MIND towards one another and all men!