Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5
Be likeminded? How many of the people in your circle of fellowship do you agree with 100 percent of the time? That question should make you laugh! It is true that you do agree with them on the most basic of spiritual issues. After all, they are in your circle of fellowship. You agree on the primary doctrines of Scripture, for example, and appreciate many of the same Christians that they do. But even in spiritual matters, there are points that you are not so dogmatic on as some other brother or sister, and you disagree about whether certain types of behaviour or dress are appropriate. Outside of spiritual things, there is almost nothing that you and other Christians have the same mind about. We are shockingly different in terms of our personality, temperament, and perspective. You have different likes and dislikes as far as food, entertainment, make of car, type of housing, and level of schooling go. Diversity like this is not a bad thing, and makes for a more interesting world. But our text tells us that we are to be likeminded when it comes to the things of God. No, that does not mean that I have to become like you, or that you have to become like me. But it does mean that you and I both have to become like Christ!
We are instructed in Philippians 2:5 to adopt the mindset of Christ: ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus’. If we continue reading in that chapter, we find the the meek and lowly Saviour, willing to be completely submissive to His Father, willing to enter humanity,, become a servant, and humble Himself as far as necessary to reach and save sinners like you and me: ‘He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross’. If God the Son exhibited total humility and obedience, who am I to be a rebel and to be arrogant either toward God or toward my fellow believers? And the same goes for you!
Our text tells us that being likeminded is something that Paul is praying for the God of patience and consolation to grant us. The Lord Jesus is the perfect example of patience and consolation. So if we are to be like Him, we are to have patience and consolation. That is not something that we find within ourselves, that is for sure. Patience and consolation are virtues that are becoming more scarce in this selfish and demanding world. But the God of patience and consolation delights to grant patience and consolation to those who would be like His Son.
We will have the same mind when we have the mind of Christ. -Jim MacIntosh