Working as One

If there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal.
Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests but also the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4

Having the experience of his rivals condemning Paul and trying to prove he was wrong by their own behaviour, this would be foremost to Paul. He sees the need to all march to the same tune and work as a unit, not as devisive individuals.

Working as one is an ideal but one that is severely challenged by selfish ambition. Even with this aside we have personality differences. A group of people, all with differing ideas and differing preferences will approach a job differently. For example the worshippers will put this out front, whereas the deacons or workers will see the practical issues as more important and then the ministers will see the study of God's word as most important. The Pastor has the delightful role of pulling all of these together. Such fun!

Paul was doing the work of the pastor, and endeavouring to shepherd this flock from a distance. Paul is right, the whole works better as one. All are important. No one thing is more important than the other.

How is this achieved? Encouragement in Christ, consolation of love, fellowship with the Spirit. In other words staying connected with Him. Amen!

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