In verse 2, Paul continues to tell how it can be restored. "Being of the same mind" does not mean agreeing on everything. Instead, it means deciding to be unified, despite your differences. One example of this is that our children know not to pit my wife and me against each other. If they want something and one of us says no, then even if the other one would give a "yes," the answer is still "no." One yes and one no equals no--and we mean it. We decided long ago to present a united front to our kids, so that they know that even if we disagree on something, we'll agree to agree for their sake. "Being of the same mind," says Paul. The Greek word here translated "mind" comes from the word meaning "diaphram," an inner mechanism for regulating breath. It has to do with an inner working that has an outward dynamic. You could say that for two people to have the same diaphragm means that one is the inhale and the other is the exhale, and that working together they keep the body alive.
"Having the same love" does not mean that you love or value the same things. Instead, the word "love" that's used here is agape, which speaks of unconditional perfect love. If both people have the same unconditional love for one another, then they learn how to look past their differences in values. They cherish one another more than they cherish their own opinions or their own need to be right.
When Paul says, "Being in full accord and of one mind," it may sound like he's just being redundant--in fact, the Greek word here rendered as "full accord" is the same as "same mind" above. But Paul adds "of one mind" to the mix. The actual word is sympsychoi, which means "same-soul." Genesis 2.24 says that husband and wife will become "one flesh," but here the expectation is stepped up a notch. We go from one flesh to one soul--and not just for husband and wife but for all believers. In this we realize that the good I do for someone else I also do for myself. In the same way, I harm myself when I harm someone else who is made in God's image. To be of the same soul means that I would not dream of hurting the other person unless I want to do irreparable damage to my own soul as well.
In verses 3-4 Paul says, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. " This is not the kind of humiliation that comes from low self-esteem, that puts other people first because it believes itself worthless. Instead, it's the kind of humility that Jesus demonstrated when He washed the disciples' feet. It's the sort of humility that He showed when He left the glory of Heaven to serve humanity. When we put other people's needs ahead of our own, we're not saying that they are better than we are, but that we'd rather take care of them than ourselves. By doing this, we give godlike love, which can't help but be reciprocated.
Restored relationships can only come through the mind of Christ. Albert Einstein is attributed for saying, "Problems cannot be solved by the level of awareness that created them." This is as true in spiritual matters as it is in physics. If your mind got you into trouble, how can you think that your mind can get you out? If your mind has systematically been destroying a relationship, then quit trying to solve the problem by using your mind. You need the mind of Christ. Only by thinking His thoughts, with His mind, can the Holy Spirit repair you, and then your relationships can be restored.
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A MEDITATION WITH ECUMENICAL PRAYER BEADS
Today's meditation on Philippians 2.1-11 (ESV), using the Ecumenical Prayer Beads, has the same verses for the Invitatory and Benedictory beads. For the weeks, use whatever word or phrase stands out to you from the cruciform verses.
Invitatory - verses 5-7
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Cruciform - verses 1-4
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Weeks - Select a word or phrase that stands out to you from the Cruciform Beads, to use as your meditation for the Weeks beads.
Benedictory - verses 5-11
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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