ESOCS Devotional 29 December 2023 – Be of One Mind
MEMORY VERSE: “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.” I Peter 3:8
TEXT: I PETER 3: 1 – 10
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
The New Testament contains many exhortations for unity, for being of “the same mind” In our memory verse, Peter exhorts believers to “be of one mind” (NKJV). This unity is important because all Christians are on the same team, especially those in a local body. A team falls apart and loses its aim when it is not of one mind. When we treat believers as Christ has called us to, we can be of one mind in what we believe and, in our actions, to glorify God. To be of one mind is to be like-minded or united in intent and purpose. In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prayed that the disciples will be one as He is one with the Father (John 17:22–23).
The enemy of being of “the same mind” is self. Self gets in the way of doing the will of God. Christ came to deliver us from self, to call us to “deny self” and to “follow” Him (Matthew 16:24). When this is done “the unity of the Spirit” and “the unity of the faith” (Ephesians 4:3, 13) can be fully realized and power is restored . . . power to be the church Christ intends for it to be.
I’m of a mind that denominationalism has rendered the church anything but “of one mind.” It is a sad state of affairs! The call to the body of Christ is to “be of the same mind.” Unity, being “of the same mind,” is not arrived at through ecumenical means, through compromise, but by a joint effort by the members of the body of Christ to walk in obedience to the truth of God’s Word. Jesus prayed that His church might be sanctified – “set apart” in the truth (John 17:17-21); not man’s truth but God’s truth, His Word, rightly divided. Bowing to the Lordship of Christ will allow for this “same mind” to come about
All believers are called to be of one mind so they can glorify God in unison and accurately reflect Jesus to the world and extend His offer of salvation (Romans 15: 5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:20). When we are saved, we are united with Christ and become part of the family of God (1 John 3:1). When a family is of one mind, they can love each other well, and others take notice. Believers are also described as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 5:30). Different parts of the body cannot work in rebellion to the other parts. The body works as a synergistic whole. We need to live out the truth that we are one body and one family in Christ.
It takes work for a team to be of one mind, and each person who is part of it must work with his or her teammates to accomplish the team’s aim. Believers are called to be one body and one family in Christ. Our unity in Christ will transform how we treat each other and help us in our mission to glorify God and reflect Him to the world around us.
- How can the church resolve the issue of denominationalism? How do we build ourselves as one body in Christ?
- Lord, teach thy church to be of one mind and fill us with Your compassion and love for others in Jesus name.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 49:1-6; 40:12–24; John 12:1–12
ESOCS Devotional 29 December 2023
