When you put two people side by side, it seems as though the differences far outweigh the commonalities. Statistically, two random people put next to each other were not born in the same place, raised by the same people, have the same likes and dislikes, or even agree completely on any given topic. So, how does God expect people in the church to get along? Since there are as many different perspectives as there are people, what has the potential to unite us? Paul tells the church in Philippi that they need to focus on their common purpose.

Paul says, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10,11). Several well-known individuals have said that a house divided cannot stand–including Jesus, first and foremost, and Abraham Lincoln. Paul says that his sole purpose in life is to attain the resurrection by any means necessary.

Life becomes pretty simple when we put our day-to-day affairs into the perspective of our purpose. It does not matter who you are, where you come from, what talents you have, what your likes and dislikes are, who raises you, or what career path you choose, if you belong to Jesus, you have this in common with the rest of His church. It makes our differences smaller and insignificant by comparison. Are we focused on our purpose that unites us? Jesus died so that we would have this commonality available. Let’s never lose sight of it.