Philippians 2:1-4 Our relationship with God shapes our relationship with others

Philippians 2:1-4

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Background

In the previous chapter, Paul instructs the Philippians church in the way they should deal with external oppositions and the threat of worldly values. Here, Paul focuses on the culture and values system within the church. A believer who is growing healthily and experiencing the blessings of God will impact the community in a positive manner; he is not self-centered; he brings out the best in others and looks out for their interests. A believer in a right relationship with God will have a right relationship with the community.

Observation

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion.

Here, Paul recount the grace of their individual relationship with God and use them as a springboard to look at their relationship with one another. He lists the spiritual benefits they have been enjoying: If you experience the intimacy and companionship of Christ: any encouragement in Christ; if you receive the comfort of God’s love in the midst of your struggles: any consolation of love; if you are in communion and fellowship with the Spirit: any fellowship of the Spirit; if you feel the passion of God for the lost and for one another: if any affection and compassion.

… make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Paul says that if anyone is experiencing all these benefits of God’s grace, then he should live out these graces through his relationship with others. Paul’s greatest joy is not to be delivered from jail or to have churches planted in his name, but to see believers growing and bearing fruit towards creating heavenly communities that can stand against the tide of worldly values. Paul’s sincere hope and desire is to see the creation of a heavenly community that has the following characteristics: a united vision – being of the same mind to bring the truth and love of the gospel to the world. Paul in the previous paragraph says, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27). Another characteristic is the reciprocity of one another’s love: maintaining the same love. In other words, each believer is to love others even though they may be very difficult to get along with. Paul cannot restrain himself in emphasizing the importance of maintaining a Christ-like attitude and mindset, intent on fulfilling God’s commission for the church: united in spirit, intent on one purpose. A true heavenly community is not defined by its external qualities: size, its wealth, its fame, its external attractiveness, its giftings, but by its internal character of unity and love.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.

The basic instinct of the natural man is to strive to be more important and significant than others. Hence, selfishness denotes self-seeking pursuit of wealth, power and personal benefits. He makes decisions based on the criteria of self-benefit without regard to members of his family, church or organization. In other words, the goal of his life is to become an important and indispensable person. People are but vessels and networks through which a selfish person fulfills his personal agenda. Empty Conceit is having an exaggerated opinion of one’s importance.

Humility is the opposite of selfishness and empty conceit, a humble person is able to see the beauty in others and bring out the best from them: regard one another as more important than yourselves. A humble person does not seek to find the shortcomings of others in order to devalue them; he sees the potential in each person and seeks to exalt them to their fullest capacity. He listens carefully and learns what others have to say because their personhood is  important and hence their opinion.

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

While a wounded person seeks to uphold his own importance and protect his personal interests even at the expense of the whole body. A humble person sacrifices his personal interests and existence for the good of the whole. Members in the heavenly community put the interests of others at the same level as theirs. However, some go as far as to put the interests of others before their own. Hence, the mindset of Christ is always to suspend one’s own interests in order to first understand the needs and the interests of others.

Truth

1. A family, organization or nation can only prosper, when they possess a vision that goes beyond their own comfort zone and importance: Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit … regard one another as more important than yourselves. A church, family or organization under Christ must not delay in inculcating the vision of spreading the gospel to the poor and in keeping a look out for those who need help. A child or a new Christian must begin their journey on a right footing: he is saved for a reason that is to be a blessing and to bring other’s to experience God’s love and blessings. God’s blessings are meant to be shared and given out; they are not to be consumed alone. We have yet to receive the greatest blessing until we learn to embrace our calling to be a blessing to the world. At the same time, leaders must not use the ministry as a platform to fill a need for significance or acceptance. Leadership is not meant for those who are still nursing their wounds of rejection.
2. When we extend ourselves to help others, we must first possess stability within the family and ourselves so that we are in a position to help them in a sustainable way. Our inner stability is derived from our trust in God’s promises and His provision: if there is any encouragement in Christ… and the increase of our spiritual resources over time. Believers cannot give what they do not first possess. The believer’s spiritual resources are:
   1. The depth of our conviction and significance as sons. Our self-esteem is not derived from work or talents but from our identity and love of God.
   2. Our reservoir of unconditional love. A service is that is not fuelled by reciprocation of others but our commitment and love towards God and men.
   3. The level of discipline that we can exercise over our body. There is time to communion with the Spirit, work, fellowship with others, play, personal development and rest.
3. True significance and praise comes not from man but from God. Hence, we should strive to gain stature and favor not from man but from God. Believers should live for the audience of the One and not to gain approval from others. Many try to exalt themselves by downplaying the contribution of others or by sowing doubts over other’s reputation. Therefore, by highlighting the talents and the contribution of another: but in humility count others more significant than yourselves, we participate in God’s work of making them aware of God’s grace in their lives.

Application

1. Are you facing intense challenges and problems that you cannot solve? If you are, perhaps you could turn your focus to being a blessing to others. In doing so, God will intervene in your circumstances and do what you could not do for yourself.
2. What is the first thing that you think of every morning? Is it your problems or is it God’s loving kindness and his will? By turning your focus towards God, he will enlarge your vision, remove your pessimism and turn your circumstances around.
3. Are you always trying to gain approval from others or from yourself? God requires us only to do what we has instructed and will exalt us when we obey Him.

Dear Lord, I will draw my true significance from God who is my father. My work does not contribute to my personal significance and value, but it is outflow of my identity and love relationship with God. Use me to lift up others and to help them reach their fullest capacity. I am willing to dispense of my own importance before man, knowing that you have a glorious plan for me. Use me to do your will and be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.