Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2
A Unity Only Jesus Can Bring
There is a quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.” This quip is traditionally linked to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The United States had banded together under the common cause of liberty and if we were going to be an independent nation, we were going to have to stick together. If the people couldn’t unite, the newly formed nation would crumble, and all her leaders would be tried for treason and hanged.
Unity. Don’t you crave it? Don’t you want unity in your country, with your neighbor, with your family? Isn’t it great when there is unity in our relationships? Of course! Unity brings harmony and peace. But unity doesn’t always come easy. Politics divide a nation. Petty squabbles irritate the neighbor next door. Families hold onto grudges over unkind things done and said at Thanksgiving ten years ago. Even amongst Christians there are fights and feuds.
But the author of today’s Bible reading makes an appeal to you. He says that, as a Christian, you know the sacrifice that Jesus has made for you. You know that selfless act of your Savior, Jesus, who gave up his life and died so that all your wrongdoings and faults would be forgiven. Friend, remember that sacrifice of Jesus! It is his sacrifice that puts everything in perspective. When I remember the lengths to which Jesus went to save me, that causes me to look at everyone else in my life on my side. We all deserve death because of our failures. But we all have been forgiven because of Christ. And that forgiveness causes me to love and forgive and be united with everyone.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you have united us to yourself and to one another. Fill us with your Spirit so that our lives reflect the oneness you have already given us. Make our joy complete as we live in the same love and mind that is ours in you. Amen.
