What does it mean to be of one mind? What does it mean to speak with one voice? Why is it important for an organization to do so? What does the organization gain from being of the same attitude?
Being of one mind as a group of individuals is key to accomplishing goals. A team with the same focus functions better. A company, especially a startup, is more likely to be successful when every employee has a singular goal. A military unit trained for a mission is more likely to succeed.
Being of one mind also helps us speak with one voice. We hear members of sports teams often repeating the same phrases as they pursue their season goal. Corporations develop mission and vision statements as a means of speaking with one voice and maintaining focus.
Can we apply these principles to the body of Christ? Absolutely. In fact, the apostle Paul told the church in Corinth to do just that. He asked that God bless them with the same mind and same voice—the same as Christ. It is important we be of the same mind as Christ to carry out the mission He set before us.
What is the mission Christ gave us? To go, make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). We call it the great commission. Much like an employee must know the mission of the company they work for, we must know the mind of Christ. Just as each member of a military unit needs to know the orders from their commander, we need to understand what Christ desires us to do.
What is the purpose of knowing Christ? To glorify the Father. Notice there is no designated number of souls to save. The goal is to save as many as possible. There is no designated hill to defend. The goal is to save the entire world. All to glorify God.
Make no mistake about it, we cannot save the world by ourselves. That is why it is important we are all of the same mind and same voice. As each one of us tells others about Jesus’ saving power, what He has done in our lives, and how their lives can be changed, we carry out the mission given us and glorify the Father.
I pray we all have the same mind as Christ. I pray we speak with the same voice as Christ. I pray each one of us pursues glorifying God the Father in all we do. Be of one mind. Speak with one voice. Be in concert with Christ. Perform the mission Christ gave you. Glorify God.
1 Corinthians 15:5-6 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Marty Pressey 