“being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose…” (Phil 2:2)

The key idea is easy to see. Different words may be used but the idea is exactly the same. Notice the words used in the NASB:

“same” ; “united” and “one.”

Paul hits the same nail, over and over, and drives home his point. Start at either end of the list and it brings you back to the same point—unity.

Since we have the same mindset, we work together for the same purpose. Because we have the same goal in mind (the glory of God), we have the same mindset.

Unity is the result of God’s working in our hearts. We can not cause unity but we can maintain it. How? We must keep our focus on Him and His purposes.

The same mind? A mind set on Christ and His Kingdom; a mind that is more concerned about eternity than earthly circumstances.

The same love? Our love comes from the same source:

“…in this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son…beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 Jn 4:10-11)

United in spirit? The word is “one-soul.” This is totally opposite of the double-minded man in James—he is trying to live for God on one hand and live for this world on the other. Not so with the one-soul man. He has made his decision to live totally for God and he lives for one purpose. And he is not alone! He shares that one purpose with everyone else in the Body of Christ.

One purpose? Yes, we share the same goal…we want others to know Jesus. We know that without Jesus we would all be on our way to hell with no purpose in life.

But, since Jesus has come to live in our hearts, we are now His representatives and we share the same purpose—to know Him and make Him known.