As I think back over the last year the one word that seems to describe it is chaos! Every day we have a different “expert” proclaiming a new “truth” about the pandemic. Many are living in fear, or they are living in ignorance. There have been riots, murders, hospitals running over with those that are sick from Covid-19, exhaustion for those trying to take care of the sick and protect others from getting it. From day to day our information changes and finding the truth is almost impossible. Yet, I know God is still in control. I know He knows the truth about everything therefore, I can place my complete trust in Him. I can be unified with Him and experience peace in the chaos. When I have His peace, I can have peace with others. In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul addresses this attitude for a Christian. Though there may be complete chaos in the world there can and should be, unity among the believers.
Philippians 2:1-4 “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. 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.”
In Philippians 1:29-30, Paul acknowledges the suffering and trials those of the church or Philippi were having. They were suffering persecution like most Christians of the early church. They too must have been falling into the trap of thinking of self, taking their frustrations from outside the church, and bringing them into the church. It is a common thing for each of us to take our pain and disappointment out on those we love. Husbands and wives, parents, and children, often say things to each other that stems from frustrations brought on from outside sources. This is not the way that God intends for us to deal with our feelings. This was also a threat to the church at Philippi. Even the church known as a church of joy can be tainted with the sin of selfishness.
Philippians 1:29 “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”
Paul was being persecuted for his faith. He wanted them to know that in the middle of his pain and trials he could have great joy in knowing that they were remaining true to Jesus. For them to have the same focus, the same love, and be united in one mindset gave him great joy. Philippians 2:3-4 give us the recipe for a joyful, productive, peaceful Christian life. We are never to do anything that would cause division among the brethren. No one in the body of Christ should feel superior to any other person. We are to be humble. Humility is not an act but a mindset that produces action. The only way to have true humility is to understand grace. We can do nothing that is worthy of eternal life. At our best, we are sinners in need of a Savior. When we understand that all our righteousness is as filthy rags in God’s eyes, we will treat others with the kind of respect that only humility can bring. Paul not only reminds them that they are to be humble, but they are to treat others as better than themselves. In our society filled with selfishness that is a thought process that is unheard of. Parents are afraid their children will have poor self-esteem, so they teach them, “you’re better than others, or you’re just as good as them.” If they only approached relationships the way God intended, they would understand the freedom and joy that comes from denying self. James says if we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up. We are not to exalt ourselves or have the attitude that we deserve to be praised, admired by others, or even acknowledged. True humility deserves nothing and is grateful for everything.
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Why are we to do this? Because Jesus did. In Philippians 2:5, this was the mindset of Jesus. He humbled himself to become a man for us. There was no benefit in this action for Him. Jesus, God in the flesh needs nothing. He is our example, and we are to seek to please Him and be like Him.
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
If this attitude of humility, of seeking to serve others to honor Christ, was the mindset of every Christian, it would change the church as we know it today. There would be no church splits, no sense of entitlement, no hurt feelings that lead to gossip, or clicks. What it would produce is a testimony to the world that would be contagious. We would be so unlike the world and so much like Jesus that people would be attracted to us. Our personal lives would be richer and fuller as we lived to be like Jesus. Chaos in the church would give way to unity. While we know the sinful nature of mankind will always struggle with complete submission to being like Christ, it should be our goal. We can grow closer to this mindset each day as we approach life as Paul did in I Corinthians 15:31. We must seek each day to honor Christ so much that self is dead, and Christ is alive through us.
I Corinthians 15:31 “I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”
