United in Spirit

2:2 make my joy complete by being ... united in spirit

We have seen that there are four parts to Paul’s exhortation to unity in verse two:

1- be of the same mind

2- maintain the same love

3- be united in spirit

4- be intent on one purpose

Let’s think today about what it means to be united in spirit.

We have seen in 1:27 Paul’s concern that the Christians be "standing firm in one spirit," which we took to mean the unity we have in the Holy Spirit (Cf.1Cor.12:13). And if all we had was the NASB English translation, we would tend to think that the same idea was in mind here. But the word here is different. This word is not the Greek word for spirit (PNEUMA - which also means wind and breath - you recognize it from a number of English words - e.g. pneumonia). It is one word that combines a prefix meaning "together" with the Greek word for soul (PSYCHE - which I’m sure you also recognize). This is the only time this combined word is used in the New Testament. It seems to mean "togetherness of soul" in a similar way that we talk of being soul-friends. It speaks of a unity that is much more than just on the surface. The concept is very similar to " with one soul (PSYCHE) striving together for the faith of the gospel" in 1:27. The idea is that we would be so unified with others in the body of Christ that we would function as one man, like we’re all parts of a body responding to the instructions of one head (which is exactly what we are, of course). This only happens as each of us becomes so geared-in to the head, so in-sync with Him, that we function in harmony with each other.

We live in a world of suspicion, insecurity and distrust. Hence, we live in a world of shallow relationships, even in the Christian church. At times some holding back may be appropriate at first, but we must not let it be the pattern of our relationships with other Christians. God wants us to be deeply and profoundly unified in His Son. He wants us to work together and share our souls together. He wants us to live out our lives in Christ together.

Listen to Paul’s plea to the Corinthians to not push away from him as their spiritual father but to draw near: "O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide... Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also." (2Cor.6:11,13)

And listen to his heart as it goes out to the Thessalonians: "Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us." (1Thes.2:8)

Let us be imitators of Paul, who was himself an imitator of Christ, who reaches out to His people even when they do not respond in kind:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!” (Luke 13:34)

who Himself was an imitator of God His Father:

“All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” (Rom.10:21; Is.65:2)

Lord, help me to entrust my heart totally to you, so that I am not always thinking about protecting myself but rather investing myself. So often in my relationships I am seeking my own interests instead of the interests of Christ. Forgive me. Fill me with Your Spirit that I might zealously pursue oneness with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to reach out to them, to take them into my heart, to pour out my life for them. As You have commanded, help me to love them as You have loved me.