Like-Mindedness

"Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" ~ the Lord (Amos 3.3) (KJV)

Why emphasize like-mindedness?

• God commands His followers to be of the same mind throughout the New Testament, and this instruction is all the more important in a marriage relationship.
• Note 2 Corinthians 6.14 and Ephesians 5.28-31
• Christians are not to yoke themselves with unbelievers, particularly in forming a marriage relationship, as the two become one.
• One can see the consequences of such action in Genesis 6.1-3
• Certainly, it is possible to have the same mind.
• Luke 18.27; "...“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”"
• Matthew 22.29
• Those who would suggest that like-mindedness is impossible are similarly in err.
• John 17.20-23
• Christ's prayer for perfect unity in the church
• Finally, there are great blessings that accrue from being like-minded.
• Psalms 133.1;
  "See how good and how pleasant it is
  for brothers to live together in unity!"
• Ecclesiastes 4.9-12

Starting Principles

• The Bible is the inspired word of God, containing the commandments of God.
• 2 Timothy 3.16; "Every Scripture is God-breathed..."
• 1 Corinthians 14.37; "...that they are the commandment of the Lord."
• The Scriptures are of no private interpretation.
• 2 Timothy 2.15; "Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth."
• If one can rightly divide the word then it follows logically that they can wrongly divide or interpret it.
• Hebrews 13.8-9; "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
• If Jesus never changes then why would it be acceptable to say that His word changes or that it is open to different interpretations based on time and culture?
• 2 Peter 1.20-21; "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation."
• This verse rules out the notion that individual interpretations can be correct.
• We can come to a knowledge and understanding of the truth.
• 1 John 5.20 and John 8.31-32

The Mind of Christ

• We should be striving to imitate Christ, and having the mind of Christ is integral to having like-mindedness. What follows are some characteristics of Christ as they relate to being of the same mind.
• 1 Corinthians 2.14-16; "...But we have Christ’s mind."
• Mind of humility
• Philippians 2.5-8
• Mind of obedience
• Hebrews 5.5-10; "though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered."
• Romans 5.17-19
• Through His obedience we can become righteous (see also 2 Corinthians 5.21)
• Mind that He would not exceed His authority
• John 12.44-50; "For I spoke not from myself..."
• Jesus would not go beyond His authority because He was in perfect unity with the Father (John 17.11).
• See also John 7.16-18

What is necessary to get mind of Christ?

• First, one must become a Christian.
• Until one becomes a Christian, their mind remains blinded by the god of this world.
• 2 Corinthians 3.12-18, 4.3-4
• 1 Corinthians 2.12-16; "Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him..."
• Compare with 1 Corinthians 1.18-25
• Humility
• 1 Peter 5.5; "...clothe yourselves with humility..."
• Philippians 2.3-4; "...in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (KJV)
  
• Obedience to His Word
• Romans 6.16; "Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?"
• Psalms 119.172; "...all your commandments are righteousness."
• John 14.15, 15.10, and 1 John 5.2-3
• 1 Corinthians 7.19; "...but the keeping of the commandments of God."
• Luke 6.46; "“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?"
• Acknowledging Biblical Authority
• 1 Corinthians 4.6; "...that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written..."
• 2 Corinthians 11.3; "...the simplicity that is in Christ."

One Mind

• With these things in mind, God has commanded Christians to be of the same mind.
• John 17.20-23
• Again, note Christ's prayer for perfect unity. Christ would not pray for the impossible.
• 1st Corinthians 1.10
• Here Paul tells Christians to "be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
• Paul also tells the Corinthian church to speak the same thing.
• Romans 15.5-6; "that with one accord you may with one mouth..."
• Philippians 1.27; "...with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;"
• See also Philippians 2.1-2
• 1 Peter 3.8; "...all of you be like-minded..."
• Peter is addressing multiple churches here, and he admonishes them all to be of the same mind.
• Anyone who examines denominations will soon realize that they are not speaking the same thing, differ on fundamental issues such as baptism, and certainly not striving together for the faith of the gospel.
• Likewise, the Christian couple must be of the same mind so that they can strive together for the faith.
• Biblical Example:
• Acts 4.32; "The multitude of those who believed were of one heart and soul...."

Conclusion

• Let us, therefore, resolve to settle any differences so that we can be of the same mind, growing as one in Christ.
• The standard must be the word of God.
• John 12.48; "...The word that I spoke will judge him in the last day."
• 2 Thessalonians 2.15; "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold the traditions which you were taught by us, whether by word or by letter."
• We must be like the fair-minded Bereans in Acts 17.11.
• Compare with 1 Thessalonians 5.21
• 1 Timothy 4.13-16; "Pay attention to yourself and to your teaching. Continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. "
• Finally, Philippians 3.16; "...let’s walk by the same rule. Let’s be of the same mind. "
• Like all problems, we must talk about them and resolve to address them immediately.
• Ephesians 4.26-27; "“Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath, and don’t give place to the devil."
• Similar to Priscilla and Aquila, the like-minded Christian couple can do great things for the kingdom.
• Acts 18.1-2, 18, 24-28
• Their fruit, Apollos, became a great leader in the church (see 1 Corinthians 3.6 for example).
• Helpers to Paul's ministry
• Romans 16.3-5 and 1 Corinthians 16.19