This is Part 5 of our ongoing series, “If you, then y’all.”
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Philippians 2:1-2
Common sharing in the Spirit vs one in the Spirit
In my first semester at Campbell University I stayed in Burkot Hall, which had long halls flanked by dorm rooms that began with a common space.
On occasion I would utilize the space; because my room was tiny, it was helpful to have somewhere larger to connect with friends. In fact, many in the dormitory used the common space, yet as common as it was, I can only recall one name out of hundreds. We may have had a common sharing of that space, but it did not connect us.
This was in stark contrast to the spiritual family that formed among my campus friends. It was not the physical space that connected us, but our faith, and over our time there we found intentional ways to deepen that faith as one. Over two decades later we remain connected while hundreds of miles apart, still One regardless of the varying directions life has taken us.
Simply sharing the same faith and common space did not bring the Burkot boys into unity, and in the same way having a “common sharing in the Spirit” in our church does not make us One.
This is an incredibly common misunderstanding among Christians, and usually only comes to light when we find ourselves in stark disunity. The intersection of politics and the American church paints a heartbreaking example of this; it is common for someone who felt bound to a brother and sister in Christ for years to cut ties with who they now consider an enemy. We may have commonly shared the same Spirit but now stand diametrically opposed.
The Apostle Paul invites a difficult intentionality to our engagement with the Spirit; as various translations put it, “being one in spirit and of one mind”, “in full accord”, “united” and “intent on one purpose.” These words require more than sharing a pew; they also don’t name exceptions for contrasting beliefs.
Acts 15 tells of a time when the early church experienced “no small dissension and debate” over what was required of Gentiles. Opposing sides held strong, unmoving opinions, and unity seemed so elusive that even the apostles and elders were stuck in debate. However, when Peter shared the work of the Spirit, something shifted. As they moved from seeking intellectual agreement to spiritual unity, they came “to one accord” (v25) and reached a decision that “seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (v28.)
In other words, unity came not because they already agreed, but because they were intent on seeking the Spirit.
What good is “common sharing in the Spirit” if the Body is dismembered? Paul’s joy is complete when we understand that truly sharing in the Spirit is not meant to remain an independent act, and allow our individual minds to become one.
