Paul
the apostle told the believers in Rome, “whatsoever
things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we
through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope”,
and in chapter
fifteen and verse four of Romans,
Paul challenged the believers to be, “like-minded
one toward another” where
we read:
Now
the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded
one
toward another according to Christ Jesus:
The
verse begins, “Now
the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded, ...”
Paul
began with the word, “now”
which means “at this present and current moment” “the
God”
or “the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father,
Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “of
patience”
which means
“pertaining
to steadfastness, constancy, endurance, sustaining and perseverance”
“and
consolation”
or “importation, calling near, summoning, entreaty, exhortation,
admonition and encouragement” “grant
you”
which means “give, supply and furnish to the believers in Rome”
“to be
like-minded”
or “to exist as agreed, harmonious and seeking the same interests”.
Paul prayed that “God”,
who is “patient
and encouraging” would “supply and furnish” the believers with
the “like minds”.
The
verse continues, “... one
toward another according to Christ Jesus:”
Paul
added the words, “one
toward another”
which means “by and with each other, reciprocally and mutually”
“according”
or “down from, through out, toward and along” “to
Christ”
which means “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”
“Jesus”
whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and is “the Son of God,
the Savior of mankind and God incarnate ”. Paul prayed that his
reading believers would have the “same mind” toward each other
even as “Christ Jesus” had toward them.
When
we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how being “like
minded” is good for believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the
standard for all who have received Him as a personal “Savior and
Lord”, and His manner of thinking toward believers is the way
believers are to think toward one another. God sent His Son Jesus
into the world to “save” people from their sinful ways, and after
they receive Jesus into their lives, they are to become “like”
Him. Only by the power of God's Holy Spirit is this accomplished, and
those who desire to be “like-minded” with Jesus shall have
“like minds” with “fellow believers” as well.
Next
time
Paul shares the results of “like-mindedness” with the believers
in Rome as they with,
“one mind and one mouth glorify God”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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