Philippians 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1-11

The life of holy living Paul describes in 1:27-30 is more than our personal piety. It impacts the lives of those around us in the faith and often those who are not even close to us. The Philippians will impact Paul all the way over in Rome. This powerful passage presents a powerful effect of unity (v. 1-2), how to protect it (v. 3-4), and the reason we do so (v. 5-11).

Perhaps the most effective tool that Satan has in his toolbox is the disunity of the church. From individual congregational splits to denominations warring against each other, when our focus becomes conflict, we are utterly ineffective at being all the things that the Lord wants us to be. We cannot, in the midst of such conflict, exalt the Lord in our worship, make disciples of all nations, or serve the body of Christ. Compared to the damage caused by disunity, all the scandals of theft, drunkenness, addiction, or immorality among church leaders are minor. Satan, however, will often mix a cocktail of vice with disunity to wreck congregations. Paul describes unity in verse two with mind, love, spirit, and purpose. These terms, including love, are not terms of emotion or feeling. Unity in the church doesn't happen because of an emotional or sentimental rush. Certainly there can and will be an emotional connection within the church, but it is not the foundation for unity; it is a by-product. These four descriptions are choices of the will, the deepest decision-making facility in our person. This is demonstrated in verse 3 when Paul dictates for us specific prohibited behaviors. We make the choice either to or not to do things from motives that are selfish or proud. Unity is a decision that we make out of our will by denying ourselves and following and obeying Christ. This is not easy. In fact, it is profoundly difficult! To look to the interest of others is essential for unity but personally challenging.

But Paul is not calling for compromise to satisfy an ungodly person. In fact he takes the whole matter away from us and turns it to Christ. How do we deny ourselves? The incarnation of Christ is the example Paul uses. Verses 5-11 may have been the first doctrinal statement of the church or creed to recite. In it we see Jesus was fully God but set aside all the advantages of being God to accomplish the purpose. Follow that example, and the church will be united.

“Lord, help me to set aside my rights, my will, and my control, in order to accomplish what You want. AMEN”