Devotionals by Raul Ries

SATURDAY September 26, 2026

Oneness of Mind

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:8-9

Again, Peter came to a place in his letter where he wrote, Finally...  Literally, in the Greek language it means “to sum up.” Peter was going to give believers a full summation of his final thoughts to end the letter. He also knew his brethren were living in a time of prosecution and persecution. He knew that they could not let these opposing forces divide and conquer them. They had to keep unified under the stress of constant persecution. So what should they do? His first exhortation to Christians was to be of one mind, spiritually and mentally. Why? The mind is where Satan loves to attack. Everyone had to be on the same page––not divided, but of one mind.

Philippians 2:1-2; 5-8 are more examples of unity. We are led to follow the example of Jesus Christ. What did He face? He faced persecution and suffering. We are to be of the same mind as Him:

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

What you have read are true Christian characteristics. Are you on the same page with other Christians, or do you find yourself unaligned?

Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.
~John Wesley~

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