Having the Same Mind
ZADOK PUBLICATIONS - Dr. C. R. OLIVER
October 1, 2013
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ZADOK PUBLICATIONS MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
October 1, 2013 Having the Same Mind 1 Corinthians 1:10-11
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. NKJV Introduction: The Lord's people who have the same mind are being drawn together. Universally, regardless of language, we who have brought our thoughts under the obedience of Christ and who live by the Spirit and walk in the same anointing as the early church, know each other supernaturally. We are of the same mind and heart, though language, custom and nationality may separate us. We share those Scriptures about "sameness" which are discussed in this month's newsletter. The mindset which inhabits one also inhabits the others. We are submitted to Christ and are dedicated to pleasing Him. He is bringing those of His mind together. In the missionary ventures of Paul, he witnessed this kind of unity of mind and spirit. He saw it even though it was scattered over many continents. The gospel caused this to happen, and it still does. (Jews and Gentiles [heathen ones] found common ground because both were being changed into Christ's image.) Look into the face of the saint of God and you will see His face.2 Corinthians 3:12-18 "Saint sameness" is no accident. Having passed through similar trials (and overcoming them) they become a traceable line through the saints' lives. The golden thread that knits their person to other saints is clearly visible. Their "sameness" is not a dull quotient, but a lively exuberance. When two of them begin to realize they are on the "same page" there is great joy between them. The remarkable "sameness of experience" causes them to meld with one another in a unity which often cannot be defined, but is understood. Just as the Lord shaped a people nation in the wilderness, so He has shaped a Holy Nation through history. Israel entered the wilderness with idolatry in their hearts and with Egyptian cultural influences abounding. They verbalized it by relishing "the garlic" of home. They conceptualized it through a golden calf. God had to leave some dead bodies in the wilderness as He changed their point of reference.2 Corinthians 1:5-6 God changed them to "sameness," nonetheless. Their unity of mind and spirit came through the hand of the Lord working them like clay on a potter's wheel, until they could stand as one new nation ready to conquer giants. Their mutual experiences bonded them into a mutually exclusive society. They celebrated their difference from other nations. A great mystery takes place within the believer's psyche when he/she begins to drink of the same Rock. One finds himself spiritually relating to the Bible, to God's plan and to God's people. No longer does one have to plea for unity or search endlessly for a caring fellowship. This is why I Corinthians 10 is the summative statement for Paul's invective of chapter 1.1 Corinthians 10:1-6 Somehow there melts away the selfish interests of worldly minds, giving way to "caring for others." Swept away are the goals and dominative structures one finds in religion and among statists. (It was a "pew master" who declared, "I don't mind supporting the pastor in his vision, but wonder why he never wishes to support me in mine?") Tabernacles supersedes Pentecost!1 Corinthians 1:10-11 There really are huge differences between mindsets found in the modern church. Paul found this in the early church, and it did not get vaccinated away by Pauline injections. The earthly mind and the heavenly mind are just at greater odds today than ever before in history. Ask any pastor. See if Paul is not defining the symptoms manifested in 2013. Titus came with the "sameness" of Paul, and it became evident the Corinthians were following the corruption of Rome. Paul took them to task. Who takes the church to task today?Romans 12:16 Paul mourned for the Corinthians and their condition. Is this not the attitude of those who fellowship in the "sameness" of Christ? Those who share the "same mind" of Paul also weep and mourn for the condition of the modern church. Such is evidenced in their discussions with one another, in their writings, in their topics of interest. Their concerns re-enforce their "sameness" and establish their commonality.2 Corinthians 12:18-21 The early writers had much to say about what causes the cohesiveness to form among those of like mindedness. l. We share a common anointing:One of the great attributes of the "sameness" group is they display a true anointing; it is not a false manifestation and they discern the difference. Many times these saints are criticized for not following some teaching or person because they sense the absence of the true anointing. The flow of God into and through their lives gives them a perspective unknown to those without it. They are drawn to each other through this commonality and know things in the Spirit because of it. As you look intently into this verse, you will realize it is this anointing that breaks the yoke, and it is this anointing that links us throughout centuries to those of the Word.1 John 2:26-27 2. We have received the same Holy Spirit in the same way as the early church (with fire).Unity comes through the Spirit, not the vote of a board. Unity comes through the manifestations of the Spirit for the benefit of the total body of Christ and for that alone. Unity is not adherence to a covenant of faith whether adopted by the UN or formulated by a conglomerate of religious leadership in a conclave of those deemed "patriarchs." Unity is not cross denominational signers of some document of surrender or peace. It is not a religious armistice. It is not a melding into Popery and determinations of prelates for who will "speak for Christianity." Unity is perhaps one of the most misappropriated concepts of Scripture in modern times. Under the guise of unity are all of the imprisonments of conformity.Acts 11:17 3. We are heirs of the same promise.We, too, are heirs of the "same promise" through Abraham. Let all the discussions of "replacement theology" be hanged! We are not talking Jew and Gentile at this junction; Abraham preceded Jacob covenanted with Melchizedek. The link between "faithful Abraham" and us flows spiritually uninhibited through history.Hebrews 11:8-10 4. We have the same spirit of faith.Go ahead, put me in a prayer meeting with these "sameness folks," and I will show you a unity of faith and power not manifest in most circles. Go ahead, listen in on the conversations of these "sameness Ones," and you will hear a different discussion than in group counsel. Go ahead throw me into the middle of these "sameness saints" and behold the glory of God around and an atmosphere where one can smell the fragrance of the Most High. Go ahead!2 Corinthians. 4:11-15 5. We experience the same suffering as all the other saints in the world.Have you been around persecuted Christians and listened to their testimonies and heard their point of view? It's different! Suffering produces something inside of them that wrenches away the ego trips of television testifiers. With one look, you can see into their very souls and know the price of their commitment. Fellowship with these folks and you won't go back to "business as usual." They enter into the sufferings of others which causes fellowship of indescribable intensity. They know each other by their walk, talk and demeanor.1 Peter 5:8-9 6. We have the same ministry.If there is an exclusivity among the "sameness" Ones, it is their insatiable desire to minister to the saints. They take seriously Ephesians 5:19-20 and 6:18-19. Ministry to the saints is ministry to Him. Widows, orphans, sick ones and prisoners are worthy investments.Hebrews 6:10-12 7. We have and share the same mind.Now the picture is clearer. Being "sameness saints" is a lot more than declarations and office. Engrained in them is a deep sense of awareness for those of like faith and order. There is a sweetness that is perceptible among them and it cannot be imitated or faked. The Divine Love which flows between them is often misunderstood, and those who are not among their ranks are repelled by their communion. Is it any wonder that thousands of saints feel ill at ease with the rank and file church?Phil 3:13-16 Being "like minded," "being of one accord," being of one mind" now carries a different connotation than when you entered this study. When Paul entreats his readers to "let nothing be done through selfish ambition," it wipes away much of that posing as religious. When he instructs to "let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus," it includes "all of the above." The eleven understood this! The one who was not like minded departed. Until Next month, Dr. Cosby R. Oliver, PhD. |
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