Light Brings Salt
Volume 2, Issue 22 June 6, 2004
Dedicated to the
Systematic Exposition of the Word of God
Attitudes that show Christian
unity
Last week we began
to examine the opening paragraph of Philippians 2 and there we noted the basis
for Christian unity as well as the benefits that are ours in union with Christ.
Now this week with verses 2-4 we find the attitudes that are essential for
Christian unity.
Our relationship
with others is to be based on what Christ has done for us (2:2-4).
2:2 make my
joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in
spirit, intent on one purpose.
2:3 Do
nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each
of you regard one another as more important than himself;
2:4 do not merely look out for your own personal
interests, but also for the interests of others.
The basis of the
four fold exhortation here in vs:2-4 is the four fold
appeal he made in 2:1 which they are based on. Before he gives us the four
steps to Christian unity he very subtly slips in a another reason to motivate
them in the direction they should be moving as a congregation, and it is a
personal one, Paul didn't ignore his own personal feelings or happiness while
ministering to others.
"...make my joy complete..."
this is the 4th time he has
mentioned his own happiness - joy/contentment. (#1 - 1:4-5; #2 - 1:18 he rejoices that Christ is
preached; #3 - 1:18-19 I will continue to rejoice, for I know that
through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ it will
turn out for my deliverance.)
Now he adds a
fourth factor that would contribute to making his joy complete, full, a continued unity and oneness in the local body of Christ at
There is a direct
correlation between the 4 appeals/benefits because of our relationship with
Christ in vs:1 and the 4 steps to unity given here in
vs:2-4.
The Basis for Christian Unity
2:1 Personal
benefits:
1. Encouragement from being in
Christ (salv/pos. in Christ)
2. Comfort from His love (it is
continued and unconditional)
3. Fellowship with the Spirit
basis for all relationships
4. Tenderness and compassion
The Steps to Christian Unity
2:2-4 Doing for others based on what Christ
has done for you:
1. Be
like minded
2. Maintain the same love
3. Be one in spirit and purpose
4. Be
unselfish and humble.
Now lets examine these four attitudes that
are so necessary to Christian unity.
#1. being of the same mind - (fronew)
to think the same thing;
to think, to have an
opinion, have understanding ,
to set one's mind on something, as having
an attitude or frame of mind, to think in such a way. The
emphasis clearly is on the content of thought not the process of
thought.
This does not mean
that we are ever to pursue unity of
thought at the expense of truth. What Paul assumes is that the same mind,
the same thinking is right thinking, consistent with the truth. We as believers, of all people, have the only
real basis for unity in thought and action, the Word of God. Christ spoke of this concept,
that is the importance of the Word, very dramatically in His prayer to
the Father just before His death. Jn
Our vital union -
our positional relationship must be constantly nurtured in the assembling
together in the name of our Savior and the study of His word. Without the
consistent nurturing, that is feeding on the Word, there is no spiritual
growth.
One of the purposes
of this unity is to maintain a convincing witness before the community, before
the world to the revelation of God in Christ and for His love for them. (
So as Christians we
have a common message around which to build our thoughts and our life style,
our pattern of life. As Christ was one with God, and we are one with Him, so we
are to be one with another.
#2. maintaining the same love
Because of our
position in Christ He loves us continually and unconditionally, that will never
change.
That's why Paul can
say that "nothing will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Conditional love is
easy, it is more difficult to love when we are
rejected or being criticized. One of the greatest marks of the advancing
growing believer is the love of believers expressed towards others. This is to
identify and separate believers from the kosmos. (John. 13:34-35)
This love is
purposeful, intelligent and the product of the empowering ministry of the Holy
Spirit. Paul spells out the attitudes and actions that this love should
manifest in the life of the believer in 1 Cor 13:4-7
such as: patience, kindness, concern, humility, gentleness, objectivity,
fairness, honesty, and sincerity. All are readily observed when in action.
In summary this
love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
This expression of
unconditional love creates the environment of true Christian unity. If their is
no unity of thought under the ministry of the Holy Spirit there is no
possibility of exhibiting the same characteristics of Christian love as listed
by Paul and demonstrated by Christ.
#3. united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
The emphasis here
is on being harmonious or of the same spirit. While being intent on one purpose once again places the emphasis on being one in
thinking fronew which is translated one in purpose. If we're one in thinking then we should be
one in purpose.
If we have
"like-mindedness" (#1), and we have "loving attitudes and
actions" (#2) then only one result
can flow from that, a oneness in the body of Christ, that is within the Local
Church, local body of gathered believers, who are the visible microcosm of the
body of Christ.
This is true
fellowship (koinwnia) with the Spirit. We must recognize that this is something that does
not happen overnight, it takes time. As
we all grow in knowledge and wisdom and discernment then this unity of spirit
and oneness of purpose becomes a reality.
The only way our
position can be reflected in our life, is through our thinking, attitudes and
actions, which is what Paul is dealing with here. This is the oneness in spirit
and purpose that Paul had in mind.
#4. Be unselfish and humble in all relationships - or we are to reflect
true humility.
Here we have to
examine vs:3-4 to see the practical application in the
life of the believer or how this same thinking and having the same love, this
unity of spirit and oneness of purpose is to manifest itself in the life of the
committed believer in Jesus Christ in our service to and relationship with one
another.
Next week we'll
pick up and analyze these two verses.