The Example of Christ
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: Rom 15:5
Now the God... It is only by accepting and agreeing with what is written that people can be like-minded (Rom. 15:4-7).
patience and consolation... In the Scripture above means “comfort”. In the upper room on the day of Pentecost, they were in one accord. This pleased God and the Holy Ghost fell with power from on high. The unity that God wants us to have is unity of the Spirit.
to be likeminded... If saints would learn to leave off all doubtful disputations (Rom. 14:1), become unified on the point of not judging each other regarding things not written and agree on the things that are written, there would be perfect unity in doctrine. Then Rom. 15:4-7 would be literally fulfilled.
It is very important that we Christians be in one accord. We are all part of the family of God and will live in heaven together. We need to learn to live peaceably here with each other.
Rom. 12:18: “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Despite differing views on non-essential issues, Paul urges the strong and the weak to pursue loving spiritual harmony in regard to matters on which the Bible is silent.
The
steadfast endurance and encouragement a Christian receives from the
Scriptures (Rom. 15:4) come ultimately from God (Rom. 15:5), the
Author of the Scriptures. Paul prayed that God would give his readers
a spirit of unity (lit., “to think the same”; Rom. 12:16, “live
in harmony,” has the same Gr. construction) as they follow Christ
Jesus (lit., “according to Christ Jesus”).
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