Day 7 same :: 2019 FMF 31 Days Writing Challenge :: Going With God

“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not {merely} look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:1-5 (NASB)

This passage from Philippians is my husband’s and my life scripture passage. It was both read and sung in our wedding. We understood that since we were each going with God individually we now needed to be going with God as a couple and this passage was the best representation of what that would look like.

From the beginning of our relationship I knew that David was called to be in the ministry which meant that I would join in that calling as his wife. Never mind the details as to what being a pastor’s wife would look like. God would help me sort that out each step of the way. But I had to take seriously the changes and adaptations that I needed to make from singleness to married woman. God’s Grace enabled me to come around to God’s point of view.

For any group of people who are coming together for the purpose of ministry this passage in Philippians 2 holds four guidelines that will help them see the best return for their effort. It all begins in our relationship with Jesus.

He calls us to come near to Him. He demonstrates His love to us by His death on the cross for our sins. He opens a door of Grace where Truth and Mercy call to us again to confess our sin and need for Jesus’ remedy. His promised gift to us, The Holy Spirit, dwells in our newly revived hearts to encourage, empower, and enlighten us as we now walk to please our Heavenly Father. As we continue in this we should have a tender heart toward God and our fellow man. A heart where Mercy resides. This is the hallmark of a true Christian.

So, if all this is going on in each individual Christ follower, THEN these four qualities should shine through in our actions and words:

Being of the same mind – of whom are you thinking? Galatians 1:10 “For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.”

Maintaining the same love – for whom are you doing this? Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,”

United in spirit – how are you doing this? 2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.”

Intent on one purpose - to what end is your goal? Romans 11:36 “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him {be} the glory forever. Amen.”

Having a heart after Jesus and the things of God will keep us going in the same way He is going.
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Go with God!

How about you? How have you seen the same Spirit of God manifesting true unity in your church? What has happened when people have functioned in their own wisdom and strength?

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