Philippians 2:5-8
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

To get a more complete picture of what the apostle Paul is referring to when he said, “have this mind among yourselves …” you need to step back just a bit.

Philippians 2:1-2
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Have this mind … of the same mind … of one mind. It’s about attitude. Specifically a Christ centered, kingdom focused attitude and for me it is a greater challenge than that presented by One Heart. Why? With matters of the heart, there is less wriggle room for me to react wrongly or without the compassion or motivation that should direct a child of the King. When my mind or attitude is chiefly responsible for reacting as Christ would, or how He would command me to react, there surfaces all kinds of opportunity for me to get it wrong, to get derailed as my flawed reasoning intervenes getting in His way.

Romans 8:6-8
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

It’s no surprise that children develop their sense of self, confidence and awareness by mimicking the actions and attitudes of their parents. If parents walked around each day checking their attitude to make sure the way they were behaving is how they would want their children to behave I imagine we would live in a much better place. Compound this by having parents respond to the world around them with a mind centered on Christ. How then would their children react? This same impact would empower families as a whole. Creating stronger marriages and families with a reliance on Christ.

Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The other evening there was something going on around the kitchen table (there’s always something going on). I asked one of the girls to clear the table and was met by a, “just one minute.” response. I replied by stating my request comes first before whatever they are working on (I was half joking). This was countered by, “no Daddy … God comes first.”.

Perfect. One mind.

Acts 4:32
Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.

This past Sunday our Pastor, Bob Carpenter, preached on the topic of “One Heart” and what can be accomplished when God’s Church embraces this truth.

Acts 4:33
And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.

What happens when your family embraces this truth?

1 Corinthians 13:13
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Moving with one heart in our family means we place a real emphasis on how one another feels at any given moment but particularly in those trying times … and trust you me, there can be some trying times. It means not making light of what a five year old girl considers traumatic. It does not mean you have to feed into it but you can meet her there and carry her out of it. It means knowing when my dear wife has simply had one of those days and not waiting to be asked to pick up dinner or whisk the kids away for half an hour so she can regroup. One heart.

We’ve always taken the “everything in common” approach with any gifts the kids receive. If it’s a birthday or Christmas gift they may be allowed to play the “it’s mine” card for a few days but after those few days the gift is shared. Period. It’s been interesting to watch this practice evolve over the years. The time they want to keep a gift to themselves has lessened, for most things. The desire to share has become something they look forward to … because sharing what you have with someone else feels good. They are getting it. One heart.

I’m encouraged. Intentionally moving forward with a one heart emphasis in our home makes it much easier to understand and appreciate the Church Luke shares in Acts.

Acts 4:34-35
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

This isn’t a picture of a community that once was but a picture of a community we need to strive to be part of today. Acting with one heart in the privacy of your home is simply part of the groundwork that gets all of us closer to responding with one heart … everywhere.

Proverbs 27:23-25
Know well the condition of your flocks,
and give attention to your herds,
for riches do not last forever;
and does a crown endure to all generations?