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
(NIV)
Paul
writes that we are to make Christ’s joy complete. What does the Holy Spirit
reveal to me about these two verses this morning? Being complete is being
fulfilled. Jesus wants to experience fulfillment in each of us. He wants to joy
in us, and in our lives. How can I give Him fulfillment? How can I give Him
joy? In these verses in Philippians I find an answer. If I have been encouraged
by the Lord—if I have been comforted by His love—if I have shared with my brothers
or sisters in His spirit—if I have had any tenderness and compassion, then I
bring Him “complete” joy by having the same love and being unified in spirit
and mind. Being unified in spirit and mind is not having the same opinion about
everything. It is Christ's love that binds us. In spiritual unity we agree that
God's Word is our standard and our purpose. We also agree that even in our
differing personal opinions we find common ground.
Unity is
absolutely necessary for good spiritual health in the body of Christ. However,
it is so hard to find, and then it can be so hard to keep. We are all so
different. We come from different backgrounds. We are different ages. We have
different likes and interests, ideas, and preferences. But it absolutely
possible to be united without everyone being unanimous in a vote or in a
decision. Being like-minded doesn't mean having the same opinion, but it does
mean having the same attitude. We work together to accomplish His purpose. Having
the same love and being one in spirit and purpose brings unity. Even if we
aren't always one in our opinions, being one in Christ means we seek His will
instead of our own. It means that we lay down any agenda, and seek to come
together in His purpose.
I
have a friend who creates mosaics. She uses different materials to create a
work of art–colored glass, stones, broken ceramic and other things. The
materials she uses are of all different sizes, colors, shapes, and of
substances. From all these unique materials with different consistencies she
creates a beautiful masterpiece. Just as she creates a beautiful unified work
of art, Jesus Christ can take our unique differences and create something
beautiful. Our unity can only come from being unified with Christ. As long as
we regard Him as our anchor—as long as He is our purpose—as long as we realize
that our treatment of each other is the way that we treat Christ—as long as we
put Him and His love first before any of our own ideas or opinions, then we can
discover this unity of spirit that brings us together in love. If we have the
same unselfish attitude of Jesus (Philippians 2:5)—one that gave His life for
us—then we can make His joy in us complete.
© 2018 Lynn Lacher
www.lynnlacher.com/2018/08/make-his-joy-complete.html
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