ONE SPIRIT

Lord, through your Spirit, make us one,

united with you and with your Son.

Help us love each other as you love,

with tenderness and compassion from above.

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,

if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with 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 purpose.”

Philippians 2:1-2

kŏinōnia²⁸⁴² – from 2844; partnership, i.e. (lit.) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to) communicate (-ation), communion, contribution, distribution, fellowship.

agapē²⁶ – from 25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; spec. (plur.) a love-feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.

sumpsuchŏs⁴⁸⁶¹ – from 4862 and 5590; co-spirited, i.e. similar in sentiment: - like-minded.

            Paul’s desire was that the Philippians would be unified in love and purpose. This echoes Christ’s desire as he prayed for believers saying, “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. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:21-23).

            We sing “We are one in the Spirit,” but do we practice it? God’s Spirit has the ability to unite us if we draw near to him. In order for us to be one in love, spirit, and purpose, we must each be in fellowship with the Spirit of God. Then the type of love that can come only from the divine influence in our lives (grace-charis⁵⁴⁸⁵) will enable us to be like-minded. We can only be one in spirit if we are each abiding in Christ (John 15). When we become more closely associated with Christ and become intimate with him, we also become closer to other Christians.

            Father, Christ prayed that we would be one with you and then with each other. That is my prayer. Help us to stand united in our faith and love through the power of your Holy Spirit. Let our love for each other be a witness to the world. Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven and love through the power of your grace.