Be of One Mind

Unity in the Body of Christ

Christianity Oasis provides this Biblical Unity study looking at the hot topic of how to be of one mind seeking Biblical Unity in the body of Christ as to have a be-YOU-tiful sense of peace within.


Many Called Few Chosen
Step #12

Be of One Mind

Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ

Our journey down our Christianity Oasis Many Called Few Chosen Path of Spiritual Prosperity nears an end. This is our extremely excellent and highly debated Be of One Mind discussion delving into the topic of the need for Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ taking an in depth look into how to be of one mind as for Christians to establish this sought after Biblical Unity in the body of Christ. The absolutely awesome and thought provoking message within will enhance your YOU-nique Christian walk.



Welcome Back to
Many Called Few Chosen
Be of One Mind

Step #12

Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ Meaning

Welcome back my friend. I trust that you're waiting patiently to move on to the next step each day. Your patience in following one step each day, will pay off and you'll find it much easier to remember what you've learned.

Psalms 40:1

I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

Greetings ... It is always a pleasure to have you here again. It is also a pleasure to know that you are making progress as it encourages you to continue working hard toward a goal.

Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ Quest

Today, let us talk about accord and Biblical Unity within the Body of Christ, shall we? What does the word unity, mean?

From Webster's Dictionary:

unity: an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting; the quality or state of being one, single, whole, or the same.

The Bible says that this unity is one pleasant realm for those who choose to join within it:

Psalms 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in Biblical Unity!

The Bible also suggests that Christians should be unified by being in accord:

Acts 1:14

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication.

What does the word accord mean?

From Webster's Dictionary:

accord: agreement or harmony of people's opinions or actions.

The Bible describes it as being of one mind:

1 Peter 3:8-9

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.

It is also written that we are to be one Body in Christ:

Romans 12:5

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ Disputations

So ... How would a group of Christians with so many varying interpretations of Scripture, opinions and ideologies ever obtain unity, accord and one mind as to become one body?

The answer for how to be of one mind is, we must renew our minds. We must escape the selfish and carnal thinking and obtain the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:2, 5

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

What does this mean ... That we must have the mind within us that was in Jesus? We must think like Jesus thinks by obtaining the mind of Christ:

1 Corinthians 2:16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? but we have the mind of Christ.

And in so doing, we shall find the peace which brings forth unity:

Philippians 4:7

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So, this, how to be of one mind in Christ is very simple ... If we are the Body of Christ, we must be obedient to the mind of Christ. And to obtain unity, Christians must be in accord on the basic foundation, which is the mind of Jesus and will of God.

Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ Origins

Now what is the Body of Christ?

Let's look at the description of the Body of Christ within 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12: This is a Son-derful explanation by Paul, of how we are all to be of one mind and be united in Christ and how we all should depend on and appreciate one another and the Spiritual gifts that each one of us has been blessed with from God as these gifts all work together for God's will.

Let's take a look.

1 Corinthians 12:4-31

4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as He will.
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first Apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Be of One Mind in Love

We are to be one body and work in harmony together.

Notice in Paul's message how many times he says to another. That's because we, together, are the body of Christ. We cannot be the body of Christ separately, only together. Jesus is the only one who is perfect alone. Perhaps that is why the Lord didn't bestow all gifts to one person, because they might feel no need for others, or even Jesus.

Be of One Mind Warning ... We are not to hold pride or jealousy because we feel another member of the Body of Christ is deemed as being more attractive.

Here is another look at it, we also will use the human body in this example:

If the mouth was to say to the rear end, Hey, look at me ... I am seen by all, am able to voice thoughts and expressions and I take in food that nourishes the entire body, the rear end, which is not as attractive a body part, can simply reply, Yes, this is true, but if it were not for me, you would be full of ... It.

So ... One body part is as important as the other in the Body of Christ as they work together.

What did Paul mean by that last sentence? It's good to sincerely desire to do the best things for God ... But, Paul adds, I'm going to show you something that will make your demonstration of those gifts even better! Oh my, yes! Throw a little Love into the recipe and then you've got the right idea. Paul Continues:

1 Corinthians, Chapter 13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the Truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Be of One Mind Point Of Interest ... In other words, you can have every gift that God has to offer but without charity which in this case is unconditional Love ... It is as nothing.

Be of One Mind Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ Test ... Do you want to test yourself to see if you are charitable? First, determine what it is that you consider charity. Generally, charity is giving, whether it be goods, or services, or advice, or love or anything in between, check against the Scripture above if it is truly a charitable act.

  • Are you giving with patience?
  • Are you giving with kindness?
  • Are you giving for no recognition and not to brag or show off?
  • Are you giving without reservation of any kind, unconditionally?
  • Are you giving without expectation of being repaid?
  • Are you giving with a peaceful heart?
  • Are you giving with no evil thought?
  • Are you giving with no deceit?
  • Charity bears all things.
  • Charity believes all things.
  • Charity has hope.
  • Charity endures all things.

Always remember to share your Spiritual gifts with lots of Love.

Another Be of One Mind Concern ... Some people are jealous of other peoples' spiritual gifts, and this is a problem that apparently was going on way back when, too. If the word jealous is too abrasive for you, let's use the word ... Envious. Paul explains, using the parts of our physical body, as an example of how we should view our spiritual gifts as parts of the body of Christ, and not to misjudge your importance.

Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ Blessing

Paul also shared of the Body of Christ in the Book of Romans, Chapter 12:

Romans 12:4-16

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ Trials

Paul also shared in the book of Ephesians ... Let's check this out next.

Ephesians 4:1-4

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;


Ephesians 4:11-16

11 And He [Jesus] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

This ... Is Biblical Unity of the Body of Christ! This is what the term, be of one mind truly means. Let the true Body of Christ abide by these principles shared with us by those before us. Let's represent our Lord, together as to be of one mind and heart.

2 Corinthians 13:11

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.



Be sure to bookmark this Biblical Unity in the Body of Christ page or already have the MCFC forum page saved as to be able to return daily. Remember to strive to be of One Mind with Christ.


Many Called Few Chosen Steps

12


There is a force out there that is attempting to overtake us all; it is Satan. There is another force that is protecting us from him; it is the Holy Spirit. It is a battle for souls. This battle is called Spiritual Warfare, and like it or not, you are right in the middle of it.

How to Prepare for Spiritual Warfare