Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Romans 12:16
har-mo-ny: the simultaneous combination of tones, especially when blended into chords pleasing to the ear; chordal structure, as distinguished from melody and rhythm.
I pondered this term a lot this morning because what is translated "Live in harmony" in the English Standard Version (ESV), is translated "Be of the same mind" in almost every other version I had access to. Paul discussed earlier in the chapter that we have different gifts and we should be using the gifts God has given us. He also used the body imagery (many members, one body). As I was chewing, I was reminded of an orchestra. There are many instruments, and each member has different notes to play, but they are all reading from the same musical score.
So I wondered what the church's "musical score" would be. What IS the "same mind" that Paul was referring to when he wrote to the Romans? The only conclusion I could reach is that it is the gospel. The best news "that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures..." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) There are other doctrines where we have fantastic differing understandings of the Scriptures-- and God uses those things to help us GROW! But we are of the same mind about the gospel! =)
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Romans 12:3-16
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