One Mind For God's Purpose

 Having the mind of Christ helps us to remember what Paul wrote to the Corinthians.  He said,

"What, after all is Apollos?  And what is Paul?  Only servants, through whom you came to believe - as the Lord has assigned to each his task.  I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.  The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.  For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building" (1 Corinthians 3:5-9 NIV).

We believers are servants, working together to achieve God's purpose.  No one person can claim credit because they were just doing their job.  Therefore, there is no need for jealousies, quarrels or divisions.

Servants look to their masters for instructions.  Each servant has their particular duty.  Together, the result will accomplish the master's purpose.  This sounds ideal and it is what can transpire when we each have the mind of Christ, working willingly for Him.

This produces the desired result that our own will and way is actually to do what Christ's will and way is.  Our purpose is to fulfil God's purpose.  He is the one to make things grow.

The analogy Paul gives makes it clearer to us.  One plants, another waters but without either one, how will there be growth that God can make happen?  We are His servants - co-workers - in His service.

God has plenty of servants if one of them is unwilling to do the planting or watering, He has some who will.  No matter, there will be growth but someone else will be rewarded for the labor you were supposed to have done. 

 "Each one will be rewarded according to their own labor" (vs 8).

Let us each do the tasks assigned to us and by God's grace be able to see the fruit of our labors as He makes it grow.  This is His purpose.  This is what having the mind of Christ activates.

Father God, Master, we Your servants look up to You.  We want to fulfill the tasks You have assigned to us so that Your field, Your building will grow according to Your purposes.

We confess we often forget to have the mind of Christ in our mind.  Thank You for Your Holy Spirit who can remind us and convict us when we go off track to go our own way.  Shepherd us back so we continue to plant, water and see  how You make things grow.  We want to have the one mind of Christ for Your purpose.  In Jesus' name we praise and pray.

                                           ~ERC  November 2023~

Based on 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 NIV.

Sing, May the Mind of Christ My Savior, along with Kate B. Wilkerson.