BE OF ONE MIND

BE OF ONE MIND

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 13:11

Key Verse: “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.” — 2 Corinthians 13:11

Supporting Texts: Philippians 2:1-5; Romans 12:16-18; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-6; Colossians 3:12-15; Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32; Romans 15:5-6; Amos 3:3; Psalm 133:1-3

Description: Being of one mind means pursuing unity in Christ, maintaining a shared commitment to God's truth and purpose, and refusing attitudes that produce division, strife, and unnecessary conflict.

INTRODUCTION

As Paul brought his second letter to the Corinthians to a close, he gave them several important instructions: “Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace.” After addressing divisions, conflicts, discipline, spiritual immaturity, and questions concerning his apostleship, Paul recognised that unity was essential to the spiritual health of the church.

Being of one mind does not mean that every believer must have the same personality, background, preference, opinion, or method. Christian unity is not uniformity. It means that believers are united around Christ, His Word, His mission, and the purposes of God. We can have legitimate differences while maintaining love, respect, fellowship, and a shared commitment to the truth.

Division weakens families, churches, ministries, and communities, while unity creates an environment where God's people can grow and serve effectively. Therefore, every believer must become a peacemaker, reject unnecessary strife, practise humility, and seek the things that unite the body of Christ.

1. UNDERSTAND THE FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIAN UNITY

True unity begins with our common relationship with Jesus Christ.

a. There Is One Body (Ephesians 4:4) — Though believers are many, we belong to one spiritual body through Christ.

b. There Is One Lord (Ephesians 4:5) — Jesus Christ is the common Lord of every genuine believer, making Him the centre of our unity.

c. There Is One Faith (Ephesians 4:5) — Christians are united by faith in the gospel and the truth revealed through Christ.

d. There Is One God And Father (Ephesians 4:6) — The Father is over all, through all, and in all His people.

Biblical Example: The early church remained devoted to the apostles' doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers, demonstrating their shared commitment to Christ (Acts 2:42-47).

2. MAKE CHRIST THE CENTRE OF YOUR UNITY

Christian unity becomes strong when Christ, rather than personal interests, becomes the centre of relationships.

a. Have The Mind Of Christ (Philippians 2:5) — Believers are called to develop the humble and selfless attitude demonstrated by Jesus.

b. Seek Christ's Interests (Philippians 2:21) — Division often develops when personal interests become more important than God's purposes.

c. Submit To Christ's Lordship (Colossians 3:17) — Every word and action should be governed by the authority and character of Christ.

d. Glorify God Together (Romans 15:5-6) — Unity enables believers to glorify God with one heart and one voice.

Biblical Example: Jesus prayed that His followers would be one so that the world might recognise the reality of His mission (John 17:20-23).

3. WALK IN HUMILITY

Pride is one of the greatest enemies of unity.

a. Esteem Others (Philippians 2:3) — Believers should not act from selfish ambition or vain glory but should value others.

b. Consider The Interests Of Others (Philippians 2:4) — Unity grows when people learn to care about the needs and concerns of others.

c. Be Willing To Listen (James 1:19) — Being quick to hear and slow to speak can prevent many unnecessary conflicts.

d. Reject Self-Exaltation (Proverbs 16:18) — Pride can lead to destruction, while humility creates room for reconciliation and peace.

Biblical Example: Abraham demonstrated humility when he allowed Lot to choose first in the division of the land, refusing to allow possessions to destroy their relationship (Genesis 13:5-12).

4. GUARD AGAINST DIVISION

Believers must actively resist attitudes and behaviours that destroy unity.

a. Avoid Strife (Philippians 2:14) — Complaining and disputing can weaken relationships and damage the testimony of the church.

b. Refuse Partiality And Factions (1 Corinthians 3:3-7) — Paul challenged the Corinthians because their attachment to different leaders was producing division.

c. Do Not Spread Offences (Proverbs 16:28) — A whisperer can separate close friends and create unnecessary conflict.

d. Pursue Reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24) — Jesus taught that believers should take reconciliation seriously when relationships are damaged.

Biblical Example: Paul confronted the division in Corinth where believers were identifying themselves with different ministers instead of remaining united in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).

5. AGREE AROUND GOD'S TRUTH

Being of one mind does not mean agreeing with error. Biblical unity must be established upon truth.

a. Stand Together In The Gospel (Philippians 1:27) — Believers are called to stand firm together for the faith of the gospel.

b. Continue In Apostolic Teaching (Acts 2:42) — The early church maintained unity through faithful commitment to sound doctrine.

c. Test What You Hear (1 John 4:1) — Unity must never become an excuse for accepting false teaching.

d. Speak The Truth In Love (Ephesians 4:15) — Truth and love must work together to produce genuine spiritual maturity.

Biblical Example: The Jerusalem Council addressed a major doctrinal disagreement and reached a Spirit-guided decision that helped preserve the unity of the early church (Acts 15:1-29).

6. PRACTISE FORGIVENESS AND PATIENCE

Unity requires grace because imperfect people will sometimes offend one another.

a. Bear With One Another (Colossians 3:13) — Believers must learn to endure differences and weaknesses without abandoning love.

b. Forgive As Christ Forgave (Colossians 3:13) — Forgiveness prevents past offences from becoming permanent barriers to fellowship.

c. Be Patient With Everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14) — Patience is necessary when dealing with different levels of spiritual growth and understanding.

d. Let Love Bind Everything Together (Colossians 3:14) — Love provides the bond that holds Christian relationships together.

Biblical Example: Paul appealed to Euodia and Syntyche to resolve their disagreement and “be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2-3).

7. PURSUE PEACE WITH ONE ANOTHER

Unity is sustained when believers deliberately pursue peace.

a. Follow The Things That Make For Peace (Romans 14:19) — Christians should pursue actions that strengthen rather than destroy relationships.

b. Live Peaceably With All (Romans 12:18) — Believers should do everything within their responsibility to maintain peace.

c. Let The Peace Of Christ Rule (Colossians 3:15) — God's peace should govern the attitudes and decisions of His people.

d. Be Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) — Jesus pronounced a blessing upon those who actively promote reconciliation and peace.

Biblical Example: Isaac chose peace when his servants experienced repeated disputes over wells. Rather than allowing conflict to consume him, he moved forward until there was room for peaceful settlement (Genesis 26:18-22).

8. WORK TOGETHER FOR GOD'S PURPOSE

Unity is not merely about avoiding conflict; it enables God's people to accomplish His purposes together.

a. Serve With Different Gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) — God gives different gifts, but they are intended to function together for the common good.

b. Work Together In Ministry (Philippians 1:3-5) — Partnership in the gospel creates opportunities for believers to advance God's work collectively.

c. Strengthen One Another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) — Every believer has a responsibility to encourage and build others up.

d. Let Unity Strengthen Your Witness (John 17:21) — Jesus connected the unity of His followers with the world's recognition of His mission.

Biblical Example: The believers in Jerusalem worked together with remarkable unity, sharing their resources and caring for one another's needs (Acts 4:32-35).

CONCLUSION

To be of one mind is to recognise that Christ has called us into one body with one faith, one Lord, and one divine purpose. Unity does not require us to become identical in personality, gifts, background, or every personal preference. It requires us to place Christ above self, truth above personal opinion, love above offence, and God's purpose above selfish ambition.

Let us therefore guard the unity God has given us. Let us walk in humility, forgive quickly, speak truth in love, resist division, pursue peace, and work together for the advancement of God's kingdom. When God's people are united in Christ and governed by love and truth, the church becomes stronger and the God of love and peace is glorified among His people.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, unite my heart with Christ and establish me firmly in Your truth, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, give me the mind of Christ and deliver me from selfishness, pride, and vain ambition, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to value, respect, and honour other members of the body of Christ, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, remove every spirit of division, strife, jealousy, offence, and contention from my life, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to forgive quickly and bear patiently with the weaknesses of others, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, make me a peacemaker and use me to reconcile those who are divided, in Jesus name.

7. Father, protect my family and church from every scheme that produces division and disunity, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, help Your church to stand together in sound doctrine and the truth of the gospel, in Jesus name.

9. Father, give us grace to work together in love, unity, and humility for the advancement of Your kingdom, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let the unity of Your people bring glory to Your name and cause many to encounter Christ, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall walk in the unity, love, and humility of Christ.

2. Every spirit of division, strife, and contention working against your relationships shall be broken.

3. You shall receive grace to forgive, understand, respect, and work together with others.

4. Your family shall experience greater peace, love, understanding, and unity.

5. The Lord shall protect your church and ministry from destructive division and unnecessary conflict.

6. You shall not become an instrument of confusion or strife; your life shall promote peace and reconciliation.

7. You shall have wisdom to distinguish between biblical unity and compromise of the truth.

8. The Lord shall connect you with people with whom you can fulfil His purposes in unity and love.

9. Your gifts and relationships shall work together for the advancement of God's kingdom.

10. The God of love and peace shall be with you, establish you, and cause His purpose to prosper through your life, in Jesus name.