Having United Souls and Minds

When a choir presents a beautiful rendition of a song of praise to our God, there is harmony and unity but also variety. All the members are singing the same song. One group is singing the melody, while the other three groups will sing notes that are in harmony with the melody, and will enrich the sound. They will all begin together at the right moment, proceed at the same rate of speed, and end together on the same rhythmic beat of the measure.

All this expresses the truth that Paul wrote in Philippians 2:1 , 2. He wrote, "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind."

Especially the phrases "likeminded," "one accord,'' and "one mind" picture to us the church as a choir whose members are singing together. Paul's speaking of consolation in Christ, and fellowship of the Spirit, explains how the church can be like such a choir. That he writes of comfort of love, of bowels of mercy, and of having the same love, explains also why these members of the church of Christ can and do sing together, rather than strive against each other, seeking personal advantages and honor, and destroying the peace of the church.

How about it? Is your congregation a harmonious whole? Are you adding to the beauty of the congregation's singing of God's praises? Or are you making it difficult for the rest of the members to sing in harmony, and to display richly the marvel of God's grace whereby He in Christ and His Spirit brought you all together as a holy choir that sings God's praises? Remember that God says in Isaiah 43:21 , "This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praises."

Our calling is to strive to help, not hurt, fellow members. In love to God and love to our brothers and sisters in Christ we must have our souls and minds united for a harmonious spiritual growth and development.

Read: I Corinthians 13

Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Jeremiah 12 ; Jeremiah 13 ; Jeremiah 14:1-10 
1 Thessalonians 1 ; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 
Psalm 79:1-13 
Proverbs 24:30-34 
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Quote for Reflection:

Unto You…a Savior:  “Unto you, lowly and contrite, that have become conscious by the power of His grace of the darkness of your nature and the horror of your sin and the misery of being bound in the chains of death; unto you, who are filled with holy fear in the presence of the Lord and His glory; unto you, that are heavy laden and weary because of burdens of sin…  Unto you a Savior is born, which is Christ the Lord!”  -Herman Hoeksema