Unity through Humility

Unity through Humility

While writing Philippians 2:2-5, Paul encourages unity by presenting this body of believers an image of the selfless mind of Christ. He writes,

“Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

At the core of unity, is “the same doctrine”. Doctrine, a set of principles that defines the grace life, when believed and maintained through a common understanding of its teachings, will produce unity and harmony. Paul confirms this in his letter to the Corinthians:

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” - 1Cor.1:10

It is this same doctrine that promotes unity that Paul uses to instruct the Philippians in humility. If the doctrine in the minds of the saints are the bricks, then humility is the mortar that binds them together in a strong and immovable unity. 

Let nothing be done through strife (conflict) or vainglory (pride and boasting); but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Doctrine and Discernment (Part Two): The Romans 14 Posture – Grace in the Grey

Doctrine and Discernment (Part Two): The Romans 14 Posture – Grace in the Grey

In Part One, we looked at the Bereans—those noble truth-seekers who searched the scriptures daily to test what they heard. They modelled doctrinal vigilance, spiritual hunger, and a deep commitment to clarity. But Romans 14 offers a different lens. Not contradictory, but complementary. Where the Bereans leaned into precision, Romans 14 leans into patience. Where Acts 17 highlights the pursuit of truth, Romans 14 highlights the protection of peace.

This chapter unfolds in two distinct halves—each with its own rhythm and focus.

Verses 1–12: The Vertical Posture – Conscience Before God

Here, Paul speaks to the individual believer’s relationship with the Lord. The topic isn’t doctrinal error—it’s personal conviction in disputable matters. Things like diet, holy days, dress, alcohol, and lifestyle choices. These are not gospel issues, but they do matter. Why? Because they touch the conscience.

"Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." (Romans 14:5)

This is not permission to drift into relativism. It’s a call to live with integrity before God. Each believer stands or falls to his own Master—not to tradition, peer pressure, or popular opinion. The risk here is judgement. We must not despise those who abstain, nor mock those who partake. The Lord is able to make both stand.

This vertical posture is deeply personal. It’s about honouring God in your choices, even when those choices differ from others. It’s about being persuaded—not pressured.

Fulfilling the law by walking after the Spirit [of the written Word]

Fulfilling the law by walking after the Spirit [of the written Word]

There is a spirit that's been given to us in the word of God, and when we let it fill our hearts, it begins to work effectually in us to free us from the law of sin and death, so that we can serve God. In Rom.8:2-4, Paul tells us, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." The sin in our lives has already been judged, and we don’t have to carry that judgment anymore. Yes, sin exists, but we are not obligated to follow it: we are not a debtor to the flesh. God has not asked us to fix our flesh; he's asked us to reckon it dead. Quit trying to fix it. The moment we try to fix it is the moment we've given it back its power. It's dead, it's condemned; we don't have to fix anything in it.

God did this so that we could fulfill His law, which we couldn’t do in the flesh because of our sin, and now through his Spirit, the righteousness of the law is being fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. The moment we try to fix our sinful nature ourselves, we lose the battle. God has freely given us the gift of life through His Son, who has risen from the dead. We need to learn how to come into union with Christ, because without this union to Christ through the written Word, we can be a redeemed soul that delights in God and wants to do God's will, yet never find the power to do what God wants. It’s important to understand how to live in unity with the Son of God through the Spirit [of the written Word], so that He can work his life in us to bring forth fruit unto God.

DM#19: Perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement

Doctrine of the Mysteries #19

Perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

The Bible presents Paul’s epistles in an order specific to how we should study it and teach it. This order is important to unifying believers in the principles of ‘the faith’, Rom 1:5, to promote unity through doctrinal knowledge.