The Common Good

If then 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 for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:1‭-‬4 HCSB

This passage speaks of oneness. A group of people, the church at Philippi, all having the same focus, working for the same goal, having the same mind. Wow! Individualism is so powerful today that people shun collectivism, except perhaps for a single shared focus, for a period of time.

Years ago I used to enjoy Star Trek and Voyager movies. I think it was in the Voyager series, they ran into a cube-like structure called The Borg. The Borg assimilated individuals for the collective and once assimilated that person would carry out the collective orders. It was shown as an evil, debilitating organisation.

As we look back in history Nazicism was an evil exercise in Europe. It seems collectivism is often evil. However, Paul is calling a church to a common focus and goal for good. God did not set us free to run around doing our own thing. We belong to God's church. Where is He leading it? Where is He? Follow Him and His purpose! Amen!