I'm not a preacher but I thought it would be a worthwhile writing project to attempt something similar on the blog by writing on a single passage a number of times. With that in mind, today's post marks the first post, hopefully of many, on one of my favorite passages: Philippians 2:1-18.
"So, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." Philippians 2:1-2
I love a good argument. Something about logic, persuasion, and the process of uncovering falsehoods is invigorating to me. My poor, peace-keeping (conflict avoiding) wife is often taken along for rides she never signed up for as I process through different disagreements or difficulties that I find myself in. Bless her heart for putting up with me!
While this love for arguments might seem combative, disruptive, or sinful on the surface I think that often times it can be a redemptive force for building deeper faith and truer relationships. What Paul does in these first two verses of Philippians 2 is a great example of this. With great rhetorical flourish he nails to the wall any excuse that a believer might employ when holding grudges, feigning cooperation, and allowing relational discord to run rampant. Paul doesn't hold any punches in this argument as he brings clarity to the importance of unity among believers.
Paul presents a very simple if/then scenario with some initial conditions laid out that, if met, will lead directly to specific attitudes and behaviors. The argument is convicting and leaves no real opportunity for counter-argument. Ironically, his argument here is about believers not arguing!
Let's take a look at how he does it, starting with the "if" side of things.
- If you find any encouragement at all in being found in Christ...
- If you are comforted, even to the slightest degree, in His love...
- If you have the Spirit, the seal of our approval and wellspring of our righteousness, at work in your life...
- If you have any affection, sympathy and softness of heart that comes from experiencing God's grace and mercy...
Paul isn't setting up scales or measurements for any of these "if" conditions. He is making it plain and simple that you are either in or out. It is a pass/fail endeavor with no measuring, comparing, or judging degrees of compliance. It issues a serious heart check as each layer of the argument adds force to what comes next. Paul presents a checklist of what we experience in Christ. This means that if we are walking with God there are no circumstances where can we say "that isn't true of me." Hopefully you read that list and said "check!" to each one.
The "if" conditions of Paul's if/then argument are obviously and always true of those who trust in Christ which means that the "then" which follows is something that we ought to pay careful attention to. The inescapable outcome that Paul desires in this argument is for the unity of purpose in love for all believers. He leaves no wiggle room for us to not make that our desire as well. Paul's joy and God's purposes are found in the "then" of second half of this conditional argument.
- Then be of the same mind, namely that of Christ who seeks his Father's glory...
- Then have the same costly, sacrificial, forgiving love as Jesus...
- Then be in full accord, being singular in purpose with all gifts working together...
- Then have one mind that seeks first the kingdom of God...
Paul has us all nailed to the wall. If...Then...
I wonder how many of us make unity with other believers a focal point of our walk with God? Paul sees our personal experience with Christ and the personal benefits of knowing Him as absolutely inseparable from our pursuit of unity within the body. You can't have one without the other.
And yet...
Look at our marriages. The cold shoulder we give our spouse after their careless words.
Look at our families. The little grudge that turns into an unforgiving, petty, sibling rivalry.
Look at our church battles. Gossiping and spreading discord because we disagree with a ministry approach.
Look at our hearts. The unspoken "they had it coming" or "well, if they are going to act like that" or maybe "it's not worth the trouble".
Don't read this and pretend that you don't have times and places where you turn your heart from others. This isn't other people's problem. This is every person's problem. It is worth it to take a moment to listen to that check in your spirit and acknowledge your shortcomings in this. The good news is that you're not alone and you're not without hope.
What is profound in these verses is that all of the "then" outcomes that we see and all of the things we struggle with living out are things that are done in us and through us by Christ himself. Verse 1 reminds us that our encouragement is "in Christ" and then later in verse 5 we read: "have this mind among yourselves, which is in yours in Christ Jesus."
Did you hear that? All of those "then" aspects of Paul's argument that we can't or won't do are already being done in Christ. Our task is not to work harder to try to like others or even to stop caring about those things we might be in disagreement about. The way to draw closer in unity is not to have the everyone glossing over differences, or pretending disagreements aren't real, or that theology, personal history, or sin patterns are not important.
The way to pursue unity is to pursue Christ because that is where the unity is actually found. Our closeness and unity aren't the casual products of good intentions, similar interests, and agreeable personalities. Unity is hard bought with the blood of Christ and it is too precious to not pursue. This is true in your marriage. It is true in your church. It is true with believers who look different than you.
Pursuing unity might cost you some pride. Or reputation. Or power. It cost Christ his life.
Unity might take counseling. It certainly will take patience. But if you are in Christ you don't really have a choice. So, leave your grudges, feuds, and pettiness at the cross and allow Christ to begin a new work in your marriage, in your friendships and in your family. If you are earnest in pursuing him you just might be surprised at how unity shows up in your relationships with other believers.
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