Multiply, Don't Divide

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

– Romans 15:5-6

Have you ever watched a really heated competition? Maybe a hockey game where the pushing and shoving turns into punches? Or maybe you’ve seen a soccer team turn on itself. When the other team takes the lead, frustration leads to criticism, teammates begin to blame each other, and winning becomes almost impossible. 

I wish this only happened in the world of sports, but unfortunately, disunity is widespread in our families, marriages, parenting, businesses, schools, and churches. Every day the enemy of God works to divide us with schemes like: comparison, envy, competition, judgment, and lies.

But God desires multiplication, not division. 

You are called by God to multiply faith, hope, and love. He gives you endurance and encouragement to have the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had on earth. It’s when we stand in unity with one mind and one voice that we glorify God (Romans 15:5-6).

The first step in unity is taking on Christ’s attitude. Paul explains how this is possible in Philippians 2:1-5. 

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. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

Take a moment and remind yourself: you are united with Jesus through faith. He comforts you with His love. And His Holy Spirit guides you to become more and more like Christ Jesus. 

In unity, there is nothing you cannot do with Christ’s powerful Spirit alive and active in you. 

In real life, Jesus’ “I Can Do All Things” attitude looks like:

• She picks up the phone and invites the woman who lied about her to lunch.

• He apologizes to his wife for not loving her the way God wants him to.

• They schedule a marriage counseling appointment, and actually go.

• She prays for the friends who abandoned her after her divorce.

• He stops calling her names, because now he sees through God’s eyes.

• They stop competing for personal gain, and choose to collaborate for God’s glory. 

Pray and ask God what attitude He’s calling you to take on and live out this week. There is nothing you cannot do with Christ’s Spirit alive and active in you. 

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