Philippians 2:1-11

Choose Joy
Part 3

Paul was aware of two problems affecting the spread of the gospel in Philippi.

One of these was persecution. Under Ceasar Christians were severely attacked for their faith.

The second pressure was internal. There were some Christians who were acting selfishly and for their own gain amongst the church. Everything they did was to try to make themselves important in the church. If a church cannot be united, then it cannot effectively share the gospel.

Church, like any family, can be difficult. There are always going to be clashes and conflict. It is not straightforward, but has been given for our spiritual health.

Maintain Unity

Paul is saying that since we have all been united in Christ, participation in the Spirit, and affection for other Christians we should have no problem sharing and being united. This allows us to be like-minded and being one in purpose: the gospel.

This doesn't mean we are a hive-mind. We will have our differences, but if we are united, we won't let those affect our mission and the interests of the church.

Cultivate Humility

Humility means having a view of oneself before God as a fallen child of God - broken yet forgiven; fallen yet glorious.

We need to recognise others' interests and make them more important that our own. Our reputation is not crucial, it is about the reputation of the gospel. We are not the centre of the universe, and if we have that attitude then the church cannot work effectively together.

We look to Jesus as an example. Jesus didn't use His rights as God to dominate and control. He became a servant, still divine, but human in every way. This is a huge act of humility, and He even became obedient to a humiliating death. Such was Jesus' love for others that He could humble Himsef so much to save them.

And so God exalted Him, so that all will bow. We who are not humble, and are self-important seek to remove that status from Jesus and put it on ourselves in our life. The name of Jesus should be the confession of our life, and so we should treat it as such and hold it in it's correct place. Our conduct as a Christian should match up to the name we live for: Jesus.