Pastor's Corner: 'Being of one accord and one mind'

Pastor John Chapman, First Baptist Church, Havre

As we approach the celebration of our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, let us take a quick look at our response to His great love.

The Apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of God these words in Philippians 2:1-3 “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself”.

I was raised in a medium-sized family with two brothers and a sister across the bay from San Francisco. My dad was fifth out of six children and my mother was an only child. Like typical families we kids had our spats and squabbles, but nothing serious. One of the frequently asked questions from my mother was, “Why can’t you kids just get along with each other?” Our typical response with a quirky smile was, “We are,” laughing under our breaths.

Paul, on the other hand, was facing persecution from the Romans in prison and hearing the feuds from two believers in Chapter 4, wondering why they can’t get along. These were troubled times and the church needed to stand together under the headship of Jesus the Head, as well as in love with one another.

We live in a very similar situation that the early church faced. No, we are not fed to the lions or burned at the stakes in Rome, but with persecution against the believers more now than at any time in the past, with the news of eminent terrorism and war in the middle east and fearful anxiety of national collapse, our needed response is to stay focused on our Savior who leads the Lord’s army through all assaults. It has been said that the Bible states over 350 times for us not to fear but keep our trust in God.

I can’t help but hear Paul’s words of correction and encouragement to the church today saying, “Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, and of one mind.”

Let us take these words to heart and be united together in our Father’s will that the church may stand strong and show that our hope is in Jesus Christ our Lord.

May God richly bless you today.