Philippians 2:1-4
Key Verse: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 CSB)
A house with cracks in its foundation has the potential to lead to major problems. Water can creep in. Pests can get inside. Ultimately, if left unaddressed, cracks can begin to grow and compromise the structure and stability of the house, putting it at risk of collapse.
In a similar way, cracks of discord and disunity that have begun to form within a church community and are not properly dealt with can also cause serious damage. It is one of Satan’s most effective strategies. If he can’t get us to turn against Jesus, then at least he can try to get us to turn against one another and cause damage in this way instead.
Is this actually a problem? In a word, yes. All you need to do is go on social media for a few minutes to witness the latest outrage happening between professing followers of Jesus. It seems that some days, we are well on our way to becoming known for what we are against and what makes us different, rather than what unites us together in Christ.
As Paul writes from his jail cell, he highlights the importance of unity within the community and that joy that it brings. He begins with an appeal. “If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (v.1-2). Paul is reminding us as followers of Jesus to consider the common work of God that we have experienced in our lives.
Let me ask you this: Have you ever been encouraged by that fact that you know Jesus? Have you ever been struck with the reality of God’s unconditional love, mercy and affection toward you? Have you ever been blessed by being in relationship with other believers? So have I, and so have many other Christians at some point too.
Since this is true, then let us build on this foundation and pursue unity together. Let us seek to be a community of faith that is “thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (v.2). Just as God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit eternally exist in perfect unity, we ought to seek to be in perfect harmony with one another. This is what Jesus was praying for when He said, “that they may be one” (John 17:11).
So what is the key to seeing this happen? How can we ensure that we quickly close the cracks of division and disunity when they begin to appear? According to Paul, it comes down to one primary factor: humility. It’s the intentional choice to not be led by selfish ambition or vain conceit, but instead to “consider others more important than yourselves” (v.3). It’s a community in which everyone is thinking less often about themselves, and more often about others. It’s a person who is looking out “not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others” (v.4). This is a community of faith that is united and strong.
As you look at your life today, are there cracks of discord that have begun to form in your heart and in your relationships with others? Jesus invites you to turn to Him and begin to close the gaps by pursuing selfless humility. Make the intentional choice to turn the spotlight off yourself and onto Jesus through selfless acts of love for others. Choose to humble yourself for the sake of others, just as Christ did for you.
Prayer: God, cleanse my heart today from all selfish ambition and vain conceit. Grow in me a heart of humility. Teach me day by day what it practically looks like to count others more important than myself. Guard me today from the divisiveness and discord that can quickly creep in and cause so much damage. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
