Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord, and of one mind. – Philippians 2:2
If you have children and can remember when they were small you can recall fun, joyous times. But there are also times when these angelic little ones snarl at each other like bobcats. How this grieves a parent’s heart! Parents do what they can to restore harmony, but it is ultimately up to the children to make the effort to treat their siblings with kindness. Likewise, when Father God looks upon His very large family, how it must grieve Him when He hears arguments and gossip. He does everything to restore peace, but it is ultimately up to His children to make the decision to treat their spiritual siblings kindly.
Paul exhorted his followers often to be united as he did in today’s verse. Peter wrote, “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind” (1 Peter 3:8). David exclaimed, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
Jesus said, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). As you pray today, ask the Lord to search your heart and show you if you are treating your brothers and sisters as He would have you do. Pray that God would bring unity and restoration to the Church in the United States and that believers will be the salt and light to the world through His love.
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