Seedbed's Daily Text delivered to your inbox each morning. Why Unity Without Like-Mindedness Is Not Unity LISTEN NOW Philippians 4:1-3 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. CONSIDER THIS How would you like to be Euodia and Syntyche—immortalized forever as those two women who got called out by Paul in the Bible, no less? Their  names are on the board with a checkmark for all eternity to come! Here’s what I find interesting: Paul is not asking them to get along despite their differences. He’s asking them to “be of the same mind in the Lord.” He could have said, “Stop arguing about this doctrine or that theological issue. It is more important that you get along and be united than it is to be of the same mind.” There is a way of being unified that is not unity at all. There is a way of getting along in so-called Christian community that makes a mockery of Christian community. Is it more loving to paper over differences for the sake of unity or to own the inability to achieve like-mindedness, work toward mutual respect, and pursue different visions and futures? It bears repeating. Paul’s goal, as the planter and overseer of churches, is not unity but like-mindedness; not latitudinarianism but love. Remember his earlier word to the Philippians. Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (2:1–2) Like-minded, same love, one in spirit, of one mind. It strikes me that in the midst of conflict, the remedy is not unity at the expense of like-mindedness. The remedy is to pursue like-mindedness. Even more important is the source of our alignment. Republicans and Democrats will never align around core convictions and vision. They see the world from two very disparate points of view. The best that can be hoped for is some form of compromise. Christians, on the other hand, must pursue like-mindedness not around their own disparate opinions but around the Word of God. Where divergent interpretations of Scripture cannot be reconciled, both parties must own this. In pursuing like-mindedness, what is most needed is the mind of Christ. Neither should be expected to abandon their conviction in the interest of unity, for it would not be unity at all. It is better to pursue separate visions with mutual respect and some modicum of love, which itself can be harmonizing despite the disparateness, than to live in open disagreement and defiance of one another while calling it unity. THE PRAYER Abba Father, we thank you for your Son, Jesus, who prayed that we would all be one just as you are one. Thank you that this is your work to accomplish, not ours. Thank you for calling us to pursue like-mindedness around your Word. Give us a humility that becomes the mind of Christ, that we might learn to love others the way you love them. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen. THE QUESTIONS Do you tend to agree or disagree with today’s reflection on unity and like-mindedness? Why are people willing to compromise on conviction in order to achieve unity? How do you see the difference between pursuing unity and pursuing like-mindedness? For the Awakening, J.D. Walt Sower-in-Chief seedbed.com   The post Why Unity Without Like-Mindedness Is Not Unity appeared first on Seedbed. Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2021 Seedbed, All rights reserved You signed up to receive Daily Text posts via email at dailytext.seedbed.com.  Our mailing address is:  Seedbed 415 Bridge St. Franklin, TN 37064 Add us to your address book J D Walt J.D. Walt serves as the Sower-in-Chief for Seedbed whose sole ambition is to sow for a great awakening, by developing theological and ministry training resources for the local church. A sought after speaker and conference leader, a published author and songwriter, J.D. is also the voice of Seedbed's Daily Text. He hails from Dumas, Arkansas and currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee with his family .Want to buy J D Walt's Books on Alibris? Want to change how you receive these emails? You can *update your preferences or *unsubscribe from this list.  Subscription Information This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog   *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally