Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Our union to Christ reminds us that we are all sinners saved by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Paul counters such sins in Philippians 2:1–3: “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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Selfish actions and haughty thoughts cause disunity.
If we believe we are united in Christ, then we will be of one mind. Peter continues the exhortation to be of one mind by calling believers to have “compassion for one another love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing” (1 Peter 3:8–9). The way we treat each other impacts our unity. We need to live out the truth that we are one body and one family in Christ. Different parts of the body cannot work in rebellion to the other parts. Believers are also described as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–27 Ephesians 5:30). When a family is of one mind, they can love each other well, and others take notice. When we are saved, we are united with Christ and become part of the family of God (1 John 3:1). All believers are called to be of one mind so they can glorify God in unison and accurately reflect Jesus to the world and extend His offer of salvation (2 Corinthians 5:20). Romans 15:5–6 gives another reason why being of one mind is important: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (ESV). The purpose of Christian unity is that “the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (verses 21, 23). In His High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prayed, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-I in them and you in me-so that they may be brought to complete unity” (John 17:22–23). To be of one mind is to be like-minded or united in intent and purpose. When we treat believers as Christ has called us to, we can be of one mind in what we believe and in our actions to glorify God. A team falls apart and loses its aim when it is not of one mind.
This unity is important because all Christians are on the same team, especially those in a local body. In 1 Peter 3:8, Peter exhorts believers to “be of one mind” (NKJV).
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