Live in harmony with one another.
Cultures where everyone wears similar clothes, eats at similar restaurants, does their hair similar, says similar catch phrases or mottos may appear to walk in unity and harmony. Groups of people who all say that they hold the same opinions, go with the flow, and allow leadership to do and say what they want may appear to live in unity and harmony. Leaders who lead through fear may appear to have the ability to create unified and harmonious followers. This is not what Paul speaks of. This is not healthy.
Paul’s words do not imply that everyone should hold the same exact opinions.* Uniformity is not to be synonymous with conformity. Unfortunately, often this is the case. In an effort to move forward with “the mission” as quickly as possible, organizations squash dissenting or differing opinions with the opinions and perspectives of upper leadership holding more value and weight than others. This is divisive, creating a rift between levels of organization.
Paul’s words in this verse summarize the overall drive of Romans 12 thus far: live in harmony with one another.*
Paul offers that we achieve genuine unity by thinking the same thing toward one another rather than as one another.* This is consistent with Paul’s analogy of the body. Though there are differences in the body of Christ, they are all to be esteemed as valuable (no matter their economic, ethnic, social, etc. status).* Paul invites believers to a unity of heart and attitude.* Certainly, we are to agree on sound doctrine, but this is understood from the rest of Paul’s writings.*
As a body, we must think and act in ways that promote harmony and agreement.* …not in ways that always look identical and definitely not in ways that divide. A body divided is dismembered… and will eventually die.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to value the opinions of others as your own. Perhaps today God wants you to find unity around Him. Maybe today God wants you to resist the fear to conform. Perhaps God wants you to change the way you lead. Maybe God wants you to change the way you follow.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 480–481). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 335–336). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 450). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (p. 412). Zondervan Publishing House.