Having the same Love

Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having
the same love
Philippians 2:1-11

I love being with people. . . most of the time. There is a special joy that resonates in our hearts when we are with people we enjoy. But unfortunately we are not always with those people we like to be around. Sometimes people can be prickly, which may be why someone has said. "The more I get to know people; the more I love my dog!" When we don't find joy in a relationship, we tend to blame the other person; then we excuse ourselves as we exit to be with people we like.
   The apostle Paul asks us to lovingly engage with brother and sisters in Christ. In fact, he calls all of us to be "of one accord," to look out "for the interest of others," and to "let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil.2:2-5). Think about it. Jesus gave up His own prerogatives and privilege for us. He chose to live as a servant and paid the ultimate sacrifice that He might bring us into a joy-filled relationship with Him (Heb. 12:2). And He did all that in spite of our prickliness (ROM. 5:8).
   So next time you are with someone who is not easy to get along with, ask Jesus to help you find a way to extent His love. In time, you might be surprised by how God can change your attitude about people.