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 Scripture Readings: Romans 12:16; 15:5; 1 Peter 3:8

             Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion . . . Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus . . . Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.

Here three verses are unanimous in telling us to be of the same mind one toward another. The thought is to try to put self in the other person’s place and to think the other person’s thoughts. Romans 12:16 is closely linked with the preceding verse 15, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Some translate the expression “Be of the same mind,” as "Have full sympathy with." Others make it, "same respect one for another." The word means "concord" or "unanimity"; whether it be opinion or feeling, depends on the context. Here it probably refers to feeling, while in Romans 15:5, it would seem to be of opinion.

Rejoice with those that do rejoice

It is probably easier to weep with those who have occasion to weep, than to rejoice with those who have reason to rejoice. When the good providence of God shines on us, some, instead of rejoicing, may be envious, and try to belittle us and even seek to get ahead of us. In John 2 we find the Lord Jesus at a wedding where He does what He can to increase their joy. He takes away the tears of the widow of Nain and filled her heart with singing (Luke 7:11-17). It seemed to be His delight to bring joy into the hearts of all whom He met.

Weep with those that weep

We should manifest true sympathy toward those who are passing through sorrow. Instead of being sympathetic, some have an inward feeling, "He had it coming." The shortest verse in the Bible is composed of these two words, "Jesus Wept." His heart was filled with sympathy for Mary and Martha because of sorrow for their brother Lazarus who had just died. Again, He quickly dried the tears and raised Lazarus from the dead.

He wept on his shoulder

The wife of a Christian man went to be with the Lord. Many expressed their sympathy and sought to console him. After it was all over, he said that one brother had been of more help than all the others. "What did he say to you?" "He never said a word. He put his arms around me and shed some tears on my shoulder." May we manifest the same kind of sympathy toward our fellow Christians who are in sorrow.

Mind not high things

Perhaps the greatest cause for difficulties among God's people is pride, desiring to be well thought of or to become great. Often some grasp for a place for which they are not fitted and so cause bad feelings in others, or they may cause trouble when the place they grasp for is denied them. Few seem to realize that the best way to obtain honor and place among the Lord's people is to be humble and not seek it. Twice in the book of Proverbs we read, "Before honor is humility" (Prov.15:33; 18:12). It is certain the Lord will not honor a proud person, and Christians are not likely to do so either. The Lord Jesus teaches this in many places. For instance, in Matthew 20:26, 27 He says, "But whoever desires to be become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, him be your slave."

Service is the road to honor

The height of ambition with many is to be served. How happy they would be if they could have a chauffeur, a butler, and a housemaid. But the road to honor is in serving, not in being served. History abundantly proves this. George Washington is highly honored because he served his country. The same is true of Abraham Lincoln. Moses did not live for himself, but rather gave up a great place in Egypt to suffer affliction with the people of God. His was a life of service. If he had remained in Egypt he might have been honored there but he would be unknown today. As it is, he is one of the honored men of history and holds a unique place in the Scriptures of Truth. All the great men of the Bible were those who served much. Think of David, Daniel, John the Baptist, Paul, etc.

The ambitious guests

In Luke 14:7-11, we have the story of the ambitious guests. The Lord had been invited to a dinner in a Pharisee’s house, along with others. He noticed that many of them tried to get into the most honored seats. He says in verses 8-10,

When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, “Give place to this man,” and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, “Friend, go up higher.” Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.

Examples among Christians

The story is told of a local congregation of Christians that at one time flourished, but later vanished away. Their failure was not because of poor preaching, but because of internal quarreling regarding who should have the preeminence. Other groups of Christians have failed and are failing to progress as they should for the same reason. Let us take the Lord's advice and be willing to take the low place, or if need be, no place at all. If we deserve a better place the Christians will note it sooner or later. At any rate, the Lord will note it in heaven and that truly is enough.

Let us not demand honor

No matter who we are, let us never demand honor from others. The moment we do, others will think less of us than before. Let us seek to live a life of love and humility, a life that brings true respect from everyone. Others may usurp a place that rightfully belongs to us, but in due time they will fall. If we make a disturbance over it, we prove that we are no different than they.

The example of our Lord

The great example of humility being succeeded by honor, is our Lord Jesus Christ  Himself. We have this condensed in Philippians 2:5-11. First, in verses 6-8, we read of His seven downward steps of humiliation, and then in verses 9-11, His seven-fold glory. He started in glory co-equal with the Father. He left glory to become a man. He became a servant of His Father and of man. Finally we read, "He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross." He sank very low, but then His Father highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name. The day is fast coming when every knee will bow to Him, and every tongue will confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Before honor is humility

This all surely teaches us that, "before honor is humility." Our Lord received little honor while He was here. He was content to wait until He got home to heaven. Surely we should strive to do the same. Let us seek to serve the Lord and His people, leaving the honors and rewards for Him to bestow on that day. Remember, the way down is the way up. "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11). "And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them" (Jer. 45:5).

Condescend to men of low estate

It is natural for us to pick out for companionship those who suit us best, or who contribute most to our welfare. Then too, it is easy to shun or even look down on those who do not fit in with our selfish schemes. This we must definitely suppress. To favor and run with and after the successful, well-to-do, and elite, manifests pride. It is far better to go along with humble folk; they will not push you aside, but will be found loyal, devoted, and often more spiritual than the lofty. Those who are high, but who condescend to those of a lower level are usually highly esteemed. An industrialist who can walk through his plant, call his workers by their first names and take time out to converse with them, is highly respected, and is not likely to have much labor trouble. People on a lower level cannot come up to you, but you can down to them.

The example of Christ

If our Lord Jesus favored any one, it surely was the poor and lowly. For the most part, His disciples were lowly fishermen. The common people, even publicans and sinners, crowded around Him. The Pharisees complained to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" (Matt. 9:11). Some count themselves above doing menial tasks, but our Lord Jesus stooped to wash the feet of His disciples. He counted nothing below Him, except sin. He preached to the poor (Matt. 11:5). In Luke 14:13,14 He counseled, "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just." May we listen to His counsel and be like Him.

Wise in your own conceits

A conceited person is never liked. Some think they know almost everything. They forget that maybe others know something, too. Have you noticed that sometimes the most ignorant of people are wisest in their own eyes. You cannot teach them anything. "Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him" (Prov. 26:12). A conceited person is a constant source of annoyance. Have you ever spoken to one from whose presence you just longed to escape? Such people are always ready to give advice but are rarely ready to take any. Anybody who is willing to listen to their chatter is a fine fellow, but others are ignorant and not worth much. Any group of Christians is better off without such in their company. "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise" (1 Cor. 3:18). "Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil" (Prov. 3:7).

Try to think alike

In Romans 15:5, where we have the exhortation to be of the same mind, it evidently refers to trying to think alike. This is evident from verse 6, where we read, "That you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" ( Rom. 15:6). How sad to think of all the disagreements among God's people, sometimes leading to splits in the church¹. Some are always on the opposite side of any question; they seem to want to disagree rather than to think alike. One man said, "My gift is to object." This brother’s gift is of no value and he should bury it.

Not oneness in evil

Of course, if some persist in going on in an evil way, or in teaching doctrines fundamentally wrong, certainly we cannot go along with them. It must not be oneness in rebellion like the builders of the tower of Babel , nor unanimity in evil practices, but in Christ-likeness. Sometimes it is necessary to battle strenuously against error, but let us make sure that the error is of such a fundamental nature that such contention is warranted. If most agree to something that you feel is wrong, it is well to register protest, but perhaps is this fashion: "Brethren, I think you are wrong, and here is why; but if you are convinced that you are right, go ahead, I will not stand in your way."

The mind of Christ

Some may say, "How can we be of one mind? There is such a variety among Christians; so many different opinions, it seems impossible to agree on everything." Here are two considerations in connection with this problem. First, let each Christian be desirous of obtaining the mind of Christ in every matter. With earnest prayer and supplication, the will of our Lord will be revealed through His precious Word. Second, the Word of God² should be searched to see if there is any Scripture definitely dealing with the subject under question. If there is such a Scripture, then each one must be willing to submit to it as an order from our Lord and Master. If Christ is the touchstone of our faith, and it is our desire to please Him and walk in His ways, we will get along. If we make Christ our center, and purpose in our hearts to make His will foremost in our lives, we will not quarrel among ourselves and do things unworthy of His precious name.

God of patience

In the verse under consideration ( Rom. 15:5) we have two things said of our God that should be inducements to a Christian being of one mind. "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus." How patient the Lord was, and still is, with us. How much He still endures from us. Surely this should make us patient with our fellow Christians. How short and curt some are at times. Others cannot stand the least bit of criticism or opposition, yet they are often quick to criticize and oppose. If we are of this nature let us seek God's grace to learn patience. At the same time, if we are not afflicted with this fault, let us seek to be patient with those who are. In the same way, if a brother is in trouble or has failed in any way, do not scold him, but seek to console and encourage him to walk nearer to the Lord and so avoid these pitfalls. Let us seek to be like Barnabas. The apostles gave him this name, which means "Son of Consolation," no doubt because he made it his work to console and encourage God's people. If we are of this patient and consoling nature we are not likely to get into much trouble.

Footnotes:

¹ For more information on the church, see God’s Church in A Religion Library section of StudyJesus.com.

² For more information on the Bible, see God’s Word in A Religion Library section of StudyJesus.com.