Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, humble-minded.

I. Our ability to be Likeminded is dependent upon our embracing God's agenda

A. Dead to self-Alive to God (Rom 6:11) creates Biblical Unity 1Pt 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from temporal desires, which war against your soul.

B. Biblical Standard of Unity Phil 2:2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
1Cor 1:10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Rm 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another; not haughty, associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

II. Our ability to engage in Brotherly Love is dependent upon experiencing Christ's transforming love

A. God meets our needs so we're free to meet the needs of others 1Pt 1:22 Since you have purified yourselves/souls by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply/fervently from the heart.
Jn 15:12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, lay down his life for his friends.

B Basis of Blamelessness 1Thess 3:12  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: 13 To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. 1Thess 4:9 re:  brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another

Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectionate/devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1Jn 3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain...why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  4:11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Luke 6:7 Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them... 37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
2Pt 1:5 (to partake of the Divine nature), giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, knowledge, 6 self-control, perseverance, godliness, 7 brotherly kindness,love...fruitful       Heb 13:1  Let brotherly love continue.

III. Our ability to be Humbly Other-Centered is dependent upon our appropriating Christ's Character

A. Character In helping others up the mountain, we climb it ourselves Phil 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
B. Failure to Forgive is Fatal (prideful vengeance)
Eph 4:2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, Eph 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Do you think most people have the kinds of relationships God intends? Why or why not?
2. How does sanctification relate to satisfaction in relationships? How close can you be with a carnal Christian?
3. What helps us be compassionate rather than condemning of sin? What roles do humility, receptivity to Truth, and self-worth play?
4. What motivates us to forgive? When are we tempted to be bitter or resentful? What pushes the balance in the right direction?
5. What can you do (all by yourself) to fully experience the Biblical relationships God desires with others?