The Bible Edge
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Philippians 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Do you remember the story of the Tower of Babel in the book of Genesis? The people wanted to build a tower that would actually reach into heaven. They had one language, one plan, and one purpose; you could say they were of one mind. The Almighty God of the universe knew what they were doing and made an astounding statement. About their desire to build the tower God said: “…Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” (Genesis 11:6)
Imagine having God say about your family, your church, your marriage, your company that nothing will be withheld from you that you desire to do. What a promise. It’s possible or God would not have said it. Did you notice the reason why these people were guaranteed success? The people were one, they were of one mind. Being of one mind is a powerful alliance that will bring success to any group who accomplishes this command of God. If!
This is true, if. If it is God’s will. If He approves. If He allows. If that which there is a mind to do agrees with Scripture which is God’s eternal, holy, and unchanging Word. The end of the story of the Tower of Babel is that God came down and confused their language. For purposes of self-preservation the people were forced to stop the building of this tower. God put an end to their rebellion. Yet, the truth of God’s Word remains. People who have one mind can accomplish great things especially if those things are approved of God.
To be of one mind means one “language.” Consider the meaning of the term “Born again.” This means different things to different people. Jesus was the first to use it in John 3, and once it is mentioned in I Peter. It is only used three times in the Bible, study those usages and the meaning will become clear. To have multiple explanations of this term causes confusion. No church will go very far in the spiritual work that it is commissioned to perform with confusion in its ranks. Paul dealt with this in Philippians 3:15. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. He states clearly that in the church of Philippi if anyone were “otherwise minded” that God would reveal it. He will expose it, deal with it, and correct it. That is how important being like-minded is, especially in a church.
Being of one mind is a command of God for His people. He mentions it six times in the New Testament. So, strive to be of one mind. Discuss it, pray for it, yearn for it, and be willing to change your mind to accomplish it if necessary (in accordance to Scripture), whatever it takes; strive for oneness of mind. Your future success depends on it.
William Howe, Ph.D.
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