Like a Symphony 有如交响乐
Dexu Xia
Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Philippians 2:2
I surprised my wife with concert tickets to listen to a performer she’d always wanted to see. The gifted singer was accompanied by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, and the setting was the matchless venue at Red Rocks—an open-air amphitheater built between two 300-foot rock formations at more than 6,000 feet above sea level. The orchestra played a number of well-loved classical songs and folk tunes. Their final number was a fresh treatment of the classic hymn “Amazing Grace.” The beautiful, harmonized arrangement took our breath away!
There’s something beautiful about harmony—individual instruments playing together in a way that creates a bigger and more layered sonic landscape. The apostle Paul pointed to the beauty of harmony when he told the Philippians to be “like-minded,” have “the same love,” and be “one in spirit and . . . mind” (Philippians 2:2). He wasn’t asking them to become identical but to embrace the humble attitude and self-giving love of Jesus. The gospel, as Paul well knew and taught, doesn’t erase our distinctions, but it can eliminate our divisions.
It’s also interesting that many scholars believe Paul’s words here (vv. 6–11) are a prelude to an early hymn. Here’s the point: When we allow the Holy Spirit to work through our distinct lives and contexts, making us more like Jesus, together we become a symphony that reverberates with a humble Christlike love.
Who could use some encouragement from you today? How could you put the interests of others above your own, just as Jesus did for us?
Dear Jesus, thank You for saving me. May Your Spirit transform me into Your image. In my attitude and actions, help me to take on Your humility and sacrificial love. May it result in a greater unity with other believers in my life.
你们就要意念相同，爱心相同，有一样的心思，有一样的意念，使我的喜乐可以满足。—腓立比书2章2节
当我把妻子一直很想去听的演唱会门票送给她时，她十分惊喜。演唱会是由那位才华横溢的歌手主唱，搭配科罗拉多交响乐团的伴奏，并选在红石（Red Rocks）露天剧场那无与伦比的场地举行。这个剧场建于两个约91公尺的岩层之间，海拔超过1,828公尺。该交响乐团演奏了多首令人喜爱的古典歌曲和民谣，压轴是一首全新编曲的经典圣诗《奇异恩典》。那优美和谐的乐章让我们赞叹不已！
不同的乐器合奏能带来和谐之美，也能创造出更大、更多层次的音效。使徒保罗也曾提到和谐之美，正如他劝勉腓立比的众信徒“要意念相同，爱心相同，有一样的心思，有一样的意念”（腓立比书2章2节）。保罗不是要众人变得完全相同，而是要像耶稣一样，有谦卑的态度，并能舍己爱人。保罗所熟知和教导的福音，不是要消除我们之间的差异，而是要消弭我们之间的分歧。
值得一提的是，许多学者认为6-11节保罗所说的这段话，是一首早期圣诗的序曲。重点在于：当我们允许圣灵在我们独特的生命和景况中动工，使我们变得更像耶稣时，我们便能成为一首交响乐，以基督一般谦卑的爱，发出回响。
今日你要去鼓励谁？你如何学像耶稣
对待众人那样，以先人后己的态度待人？
亲爱的耶稣，谢谢祢拯救我。
愿祢的圣灵使我变得更像祢，让我的态度和行为，都能流露出祢的谦卑和牺牲的爱，也让我能与弟兄姐妹更加合一。