INTRODUCTION

1. In this series, we are considering our relationships with one another as fellow Christians.

   1. In the first lesson, we laid a foundation for the series by considering our love for one another.

   2. In the second lesson, we noticed how close our connections must be as fellow members of one another in the body of Christ.

2. In this lesson, we will consider what it means to have the same mind toward one another.

    

REGARD ONE ANOTHER IN THE SAME WAY

1. It is God's will that Christians be of the same mind about all things concerning the faith.

   1. The Lord Himself prayed for the unity of all disciples, saying to His Father in John 17:20-21,

      ²⁰"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; ²¹that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me."

   2. This unity is defined as a sameness of mind among Christians. Notice 1Corinthians 1:10:

      Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

   3. This sameness of mind is achieved by adhering to the same "standard of sound words" (2Tim. 1:13), which is the word of God.

2. Our unity of thought concerning the word of God should lead us to have a unity of thought toward one another.

   1. The word of God teaches us the love that God has for us (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8).  The knowledge of His love for all of His children leads naturally to this conclusion: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1John 4:11).  See Lesson 1.

   2. Just as God loves us all equally, we should also love one another equally.  There should be no bias, favoritism, arrogance, or division in love.  We must be of the same mind toward one another.

      1. In James 2:1, the Scripture says, "My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism."  In particular, James advises against favoring the rich over the poor (Jas. 2:2-9).

      2. In Romans 12:16, we are instructed, "Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.  Do not be wise in your own estimation."  No one in the church is better than anyone else, and no one should think this way.

      3. There are no upper, middle, or lower classes among Christians.  Consider Galatians 3:28, which says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."  These worldly distinctions still exist among Christians, but in Christ all are equally valued as children of God.

      4. There are no unnecessary members of the church (1Cor. 12:12-27; see Lesson 2).  All are important and should be honored accordingly.

3. This unity is necessary for us to serve our God-given purpose in the world.

   1. As we saw before in the Lord's prayer, He indicated that our unity will prove to the world that God sent His Son.  He went on to say in John 17:22-23:

      ²²"The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; ²³I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me."

   2. If we wear the name of Christ, then we take on the responsibility of glorifying our Lord.  This requires unity.

      1. In Isaiah 43:7, God described His people as "everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made."  Our foremost purpose as God's people is to bring glory to Him (Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10).

      2. We cannot serve the purpose of glorifying God without unity.  Notice Romans 15:5-6:

         ⁵Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, ⁶so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

          

REGARD ONE ANOTHER AS MORE IMPORTANT

1. The same mind with which we are to regard one another is a matter of every Christian regarding every other Christian as more important than himself.

   1. Consider carefully the message of Philippians 2:1-4:

      ¹Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, ²make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  ³Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; ⁴do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

      1. Notice the conditions of verse 1.  Paul is not expressing doubt about whether these motives exist, but rather he is using the certainty of these motives to commend unity.

      2. This same mind, same love, unity of spirit, and singleness of purpose are manifested by each one regarding his brother or sister as more important than himself.

      3. The practical expression of this attitude is that each Christian is to place the needs of his brethren above his own needs.

   2. Jesus Himself is the ultimate demonstration of this attitude. Notice Philippians 2:5-8:

      ⁵Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.  ⁸Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

      1. There is no doubt that Jesus is more important than all of us for whom He died, for He is God. Nevertheless, He regarded us as more important than Himself in a practical sense by placing our needs above His own and dying for our sins.

      2. This is the mind or attitude that we are to have toward one another.  God expects every Christian to consider every other Christian as more important than himself regardless of differences or worthiness.

2. This humble attitude will manifest itself in several ways.

   1. If we place one another's needs above our own, then we will fulfill the commandment of Ephesians 5:21 to "be subject to one another in the fear of Christ."

      1. This is a general commandment concerning the requirement of subjection.  The following verses (Eph. 5:22-6:9) are more specific about the order of subjection (wives to husbands, children to parents, etc.).

      2. Even so, there is a degree of subjection that is to exist among all Christians.

         1. For example, wives are to be in subjection to husbands, but husbands are to subject their own needs in favor of the needs of their wives (Eph. 5:22-33).

         2. Similarly, each member of a local congregation is to submit to the elders, but the elders have a responsibility for overseeing the whole flock (Heb. 13:17; 1Pet. 5:5).  Thus, elders often subject their own needs in favor of the needs of the congregation as shepherds protecting the sheep.

         3. So it is with all relationships among Christians.  We must all submit to the order established by God for the mutual fulfillment of one another's needs.

   2. With this attitude, we will be servants of one another.

      1. Naturally, if we place one another's needs above our own, then we will work to serve one another's needs just as we would work to fulfill our own.

      2. The next lesson in this series will focus on this aspect of our relationships with one another (see Lesson 4 -- Serve One Another).

          

CONCLUSION

1. Do not misunderstand the idea of having the same mind toward one another.

   1. It does not imply that each Christian is to have exactly the same relationship with every other Christian.

   2. Rather, it is akin to the relationship that exists between parents and children.  A parent loves each of his children the same, although their relationships are all different.

2. Let us therefore have the same mind toward one another, considering each one as more important than self.