UNDERSTANDING
THE MIND OF CHRIST
Lesson #2 The Attitude Of Unity
Philippians 2:2-5; 2. Fulfil ye my joy,
that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem other better than themselves. 4. Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others. 5. Let this mind be in you, which
was also in Christ Jesus:IMPACT POINT! The Mind Of Crist Is An Active Attitude. To Have The Mind Of Christ Is To Be Governed By His Attitude.
The observation
of verses 2-4 reveals three distinct attitudes in each verse. This may be
thought of as THE THREEFOLD MIND OF CHRIST.
THE FIRST ATTITUDE IS UNITY
Philippians 2:2; Fulfil ye my joy, that
ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
There are four words within the
immediate context of the verse itself that indicates UNITY. They are: like-
minded - same love - one accord and one mind.
IMPACT POINT! The Cornerstone Of The Mind
Of Christ Is Unity.
Psalms 133:1; Behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
This verse
points out that being brothers and together does not automatically mean unity.
It also indicates that good things happen when brothers are unified.
IMPACT POINT! To Live The Mind Of Christ
Demands That We Demonstrate Biblical Unity In Our Home, Church, Job And
Neighborhood.
Along with this first
attitude of Christ are actions that verify if we have the attitude. These actions are taken from verse 2 of
Philippians 2.
ACTION #1. UNITY OF LOVE
Philippians 2:2 talks about having
"the same love".
Love is not a
feeling it's a choice. To have the mind of Christ requires having a mind to
love people inspite of their personalities or dispositions.
IMPACT POINT! The Word Paul Chose To Use For Love Is
TOTAL COMMITMENT
Nothing reveals
Christ to the world like loving people who are difficult to love.
John 13:34-35;
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved
you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.
IMPACT POINT! Jesus Demonstrated This
Attitude For Us And Required It Of Us.
John 15:11-13; These things have I
spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be
full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his
friends.
JESUS died for
people who didn't deserve it. When we think about our attitudes towards each
other in comparison to Christ' sacrificial love for us, it should make us see
ourselves. When we are intolerant of each other, judge mental and prejudice we
must know that we are anti-Christ.
Romans 5:8; But God commendeth his love
toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
ACTION #2. UNITY OF SPIRIT
Philippians 2:2 also talks about being of
"one accord".
Unity of spirit
is the second action under the attitude of UNITY. We must first demonstrate
unity of love to model the mind of Christ. Secondly we must demonstrate unity
of spirit.
IMPACT POINT! The Word Paul Uses For One
Accord a Translates As SOUL MATES.
This
"unity of spirit" indicates that we invest ourselves in getting to
know each other intimately.
IMPACT POINT! Quite
Often In The Family And Fellowship The Unity Breaks Down Because We Have Not
Taken Time To Know One another.
Unity of spirit
is committing to connect to the person intimately and to feel their feelings as
Christ felt ours.
Hebrews 4:15; For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
IMPACT POINT! Unity
Of Spirit Is Signing Up To Do Life With Others.
Galatians 6:1-2; 1. Brethren, if a man
be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the
spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2. Bear ye
one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
The only way to
fulfill this action is to sincerely take the time to get to know people for
interest that don't serve you.
ACTION #3 UNITY OF PURPOSE
Philippians 2:2 talks about "being
of one mind".
The third
action that confirms that we are LIVING OUT THE UNITY OF THE MIND OF CHRIST is
UNITY OF PURPOSE.
Unity of
purpose means that we comb through the multitude of personalities and agendas
to focus on the real purpose.
IMPACT POINT! The Mind Of Christ Will Always Bring Us
Back To Purpose Over Personalities
Philippians 3:15-18; 15. Let us
therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be
otherwise minded, 16. God shall reveal even this unto you. 17. Nevertheless,
whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the
same thing. 18. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk
so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you
often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of
Christ:
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