Hi
You know that baaad joke about the car driven by the disciples being a Honda; for they were in one Accord. I told you – bad joke. Nevertheless, the same can be said for us as believers, according to today’s Holy Nougat
“make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Philippians 2:2 NRSV
It is believed that the Church at Phillipi was the first established by Paul, subsequent to meeting and evangelizing the community including Lydia. which worshipped close to the river. Upon Lydia‘a conversion, it is said they met at her home. And the jailer whom Paul and Silas saved from suicide was also part of the community.
So why a call for unity?
This was part of a series of admonitions offered by Paul as appropriate responses to the persecution they faced. This, he encouraged them to overcome fear of their enemies in the previous chapter, and offers unity as a benefit of their faith.
This call for unity is thus both defensive and offensive. Unity, that is, being in full accord, meant they were working together, strengthening each other like iron sharpens iron. Having likemindedness offered support for the weak ones and made a formidable defense at the same time.
Suffering and persecution have not stopped. We all face them in different ways, some overt, others quite subtle. Overcoming them usually requires team effort. Where do you find your source of support today? At work/school/play or in your community of faith? Are you likeminded? Is there a common enemy, or several? What would you consider your secret weapon?
I pray that God, our eternal refuge will point each of us to our place of likeminded believers where we support and find support through Christ Jesus amen
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
