LIKE-MINDED LOVE

Therefore if you have encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love^G26, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love^G26, being *united in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility **consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4 (BSB)

*one accord. This may also be translated “united in spirit” and perhaps is a term specially coined by Paul. It lit. means “one-souled” and describes people who are knit together in harmony, having the same desires, passions, and ambitions. **esteem others better than himself. The basic definition of true humility (cf. Rom. 12:10; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 5:21; 1 Pet. 5:5).

MacArthur Study Bible

If we are in fellowship with the Spirit of Christ, we will become steadily more like Him—    . . . “conformed to the image of His son” (Romans 8:29). The first evidence of this transformation is “being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose”. The evidence that we are His disciples is that we love one another (John 13:35). We are to be united in spirit which can be interpreted as “one-souled”. Susan and I feel our souls have been knit together by God with the result that we are as close or closer than biological sisters. Paul’s desire was that all believers develop and demonstrate this kind of bond. We are to have the humility in love to consistently think of others before ourselves. Christ was, of course, the perfect example of this humility. Continue reading in Philippians chapter two, and you will see exactly how much Jesus put us before Himself. He came to earth as a humble baby, ministered to all kinds of people, and obeyed His Father to the point of suffering a humiliating death on the cross. But don’t stop reading at verse eight. Go on to read how God has exalted Jesus and how everyone will eventually bow to Him (Philippians 2:9-11).

If the Son of God could love unlovable sinners such as ourselves, surely, we can love each other. If the Lord of Heaven and Earth could demonstrate such humility in order to serve and save us, surely, we can put our own needs aside to serve others that He loves. Time for a heart check. Examine yourself to see how well you are living up to the attitudes and actions Paul told the Philippians would bring him joy. Not only will these Christ-like behaviors bring us joy, but they would also be well-pleasing to God our Father.

Father, help us to exemplify the love of Jesus for all the people You place in our paths.

Taken from Living in Love, the first book in the series The Fruit of the Spirit: The Produce of God’s Presence, available here: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Love-Susan-Slade/dp/1954798164