"Mashed or Boiled Potatoes?"

  Paul spoke to the body of Christ at Philippi: "make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." (Phil. 2:2)

  Several years back while at a lectureship, I heard a fellow, who said he got it from another man's book, speak of unity in the church. He spoke of boiled potatoes in a bowl doesn't mean unity because they are all in the same bowl. He explained that mashed potatoes are in unity. Boiled potatoes are individuals at the same location. Mashed potatoes were blended in with one another that serve a single purpose.

  Now I know we aren't potatoes. But let's think about this. The single boiled potatoes might be with the church but they aren't committed to the Lord's purpose. Over my 32 years of preaching, too many so called members of Christ are in Jesus for themselves. What makes them happy is where they get their drive and joy. When they aren't happy about something, it shows on their face and in their attitudes. They fail to see the heart of maintaining the same love, united in spirit and intent on one purpose. And what's that purpose? The purpose of Jesus Christ to seek and save! Jude describes these "boiled potatoes" best: "These are the grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; speaking arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining an advantage." (Jude 16) Too many have motives or reasons that aren't from the Lord Jesus and the results...boiled potatoes! The church of Jesus Christ is the extension of His cross and those rooted in Jesus are blended by His life and blood to those from all sorts of walks and various backgrounds to serve His single purpose.

  When you have boiled, it is easy when things don't go the way you think to "take your ball and go home!" When we are mashed and blended together, you find Jesus working in you as well as the other members knowing that each has been placed in the body where the Lord wants them (I Cor. 12:18). It brings about a single purpose, the purpose of Christ in the heart. Peter urged the brethren to be "harmonious." (I Pet. 3:8) Boiled can't do that. They just sit, waiting for something to be upset about. The mashed work in harmony with Christ for the betterment of the whole. Which potato would you consider yourself?