A foreign idea would be a thought that is unfamiliar or seems strange to us. Today’s text in Philippians introduces us to a foreign idea that most will not desire or ever achieve. Paul is seeking unity among the Christians at Philippi. If you read chapter 4 of this letter to the Philippian church, you will see the names of some of those whom he had heard were at odds with each other. Paul is setting the stage for all Christians in how they should function as a body of believers, but he gets specific in chapter 4. He challenges those believers to be like Christ in their attitudes toward one another. He presents them, and us, with the foreign idea that they are to place others above themselves.
In verse 1 he pleads for their behavior to be one of unity. He is in prison, he is afflicted and persecuted, but that is not what is troubling him. He has been told there are some in contention in the church. Now he pleads with them to make his joy complete by being unified. Then he gives the motive for unity. The word “if” is better translated “since.” Since there is “consolation in Christ,” meaning he offers them comfort, peace, and encouragement. Since there is the comfort of love, meaning the love that God has for those who are followers of His Son. Since “there is fellowship of the Spirit” among believers, because we have the indwelling of the Spirit, and since we have “bowels of mercies,” meaning Christians should be tender-hearted and compassionate, he exhorts them to be of one mind. He is challenging them to be of one mind in their thinking, love, will, and purpose.
Philippians 2:1-2 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
Now he moves to how they will achieve this oneness. It can be summed up in living a selfless life! When we learn to live a selfless life, this attribute will align us with Christ more than any other attribute. In verses 3 and 4, we are called to humility. A humility that causes us not to think of ourselves at all. It is a humility that allows us to serve and give not expecting anything in return. It is a humility that loves deeply and places the needs of others first. It longs to serve others and extend the mercies that Christ has shown to them. Humility is that grace that, when you know you have it, you have lost it! How can we have this kind of attitude and live it out toward others? We simply trust God. We seek to please Him and know that if we obey and have the humility of Christ, he will take care of us. In Matthew 6:25, Jesus gives us an example of the kind of trust that allows us to put others above ourselves. If God feeds the fowls of the air and clothes the lilies of the field, then surely he will take care of His children. This passage in Matthew is not speaking of sitting back and doing nothing expecting God to take care of our needs, but it is teaching us to get our priorities straight and God will provide for our needs.
Philippians 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?”
Esteeming others better than ourselves is an idea that is foreign to our world today. It cannot be achieved any way but to put Christ first in all we do. The world teaches the opposite of this thought process, and it is promoted all around us. It is pushed in our schools, advertisements, and all forms of media. It is even promoted in churches and in some of them you will hear “go live the best life you can” and “God wants you to be rich and happy,” yet there is nowhere in scripture that you can find verses to support this idea. It is full of pride, which God hates.
This attitude that Paul is writing to the church at Philippi about is the attitude we are to have also. I can only imagine what the world would be like if every church that proclaims the name of Christ had every member living with this humble attitude. I wonder how much more God could do through us if we would get “self” out of the way. This commandment of humility is one that is foreign to everyone until the Holy Spirit is allowed to direct our lives. It is through His power we are able to take on this mind of Christ. There are many churches that are growing today because of programs and entertainment, but they are not pleasing to God. They are man-made and are leading people away from Christ by giving them a false sense of security in Christ. The church is to be teaching those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior to seek to be like Him.
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
In order for the church corporately to have the mind of Christ, the individuals of the church must have this mindset. How do you stack up against this command? Do you live for yourself or others? Are you eager to serve and see others grow in their faith? Strife and vainglory have to place in the church. Those who feel used or overlooked are more concerned about themselves than they are for the growth of the church. If we as a body of believers are going to make a difference for Christ, we must embrace the challenge of seeking to be like Christ. We must become a submissive servant that thinks nothing about ourselves. This is a foreign idea, but one that could change the world.
