Having the Same Love

Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
– Philippians 2:1-4


Paul is writing to a church he loves deeply, urging them to let their shared experience of Christ lead to shared humility and love. This passage reminds us that being “like-minded” doesn’t mean having the same opinions—it means having the same love, the same spirit, and the same purpose rooted in Jesus.

The real call here is to humility. Paul challenges us to lay down our pride, to give up the need to be right or to be recognized, and instead to elevate others—not because they’ve earned it, but because it reflects Christ’s posture toward us. This is especially important when we encounter Christians who think or believe differently than we do. The easy response is to defend ourselves, prove our point, or look out for our own perspective. The Christlike response is to listen, care, and serve.

This kind of humility is not weakness—it is the strength of someone grounded in the love and example of Jesus. When we humble ourselves in love for others, we make room for unity, not uniformity. We build bridges instead of walls.


Questions

1. What does humility look like in your relationships with fellow believers who think differently from you?

2. Are there ways pride or self-interest have shaped your recent interactions with others in the faith?

3. How can you better look to the interests of someone else this week?


Suggested Activity

Identify one way you can elevate another believer today—perhaps someone who often feels dismissed or overlooked. Let it be a small act of honoring their interests, supporting their work, or listening with intention. Practice humility with purpose.


Prayer

Lord Jesus, 

You gave up everything to love and serve those who could never repay You. Help me to walk in that same humility. Teach me to lay down pride, to resist the pull of self-interest, and to honor others with kindness. When I’m tempted to protect my own views, remind me to lift up others in love. May my unity with my brothers and sisters reflect the unity I share with You.

In Your name I pray. Amen.

-

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