Philippians 2:1-2a - The Right Motive for Spiritual Unity

Today we are looking at Philippians 2:1-2a and we are talkingabout the right motive for spiritual unity. Let us read these verses. “Thereforeif there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if anyfellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by beinglike-minded…” TheApostle Paul here gives us four “if” statements. In theoriginal language, they carry the idea of certainty. They could just as wellhave been translated “since”: since there is consolation inChrist, since there is comfort of love, since there is fellowship of theSpirit, and since there are affection and mercy. As you read these statements,Paul is not questioning these realities by saying “if.” He is actually buildingon them. He is essentially saying this: “Since these things are true in yourlife, live like it.” Wheredid your consolation come from? In Christ. Where did your comfort of love comefrom? From Christ. In the context of the church and the fellowship ofbelievers, we know that this consolation in Christ is that encouragement ofcoming alongside. It is not just the sense that the Holy Spirit and Christ havecome alongside me, but that others in Christ have come alongside me—fellowbelievers praying, encouraging, and helping. That encouragement comes throughChrist in others. It is the same root word used for the Holy Spirit as ourComforter. Christ Himself strengthens and encourages us. He does it throughHimself, of course, and through the Holy Spirit, but He also does it throughothers. Second,that comfort of love is that deep, soothing assurance of God’s love that ispoured into our hearts. That brings to mind Romans chapter 5:3-5. Paul says, “Andnot only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulationproduces perseverance.” Remember, in previous verses he is talking aboutthe gift of suffering and suffering in Christ—suffering for Christ. He goes onto say, “and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does notdisappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by theHoly Spirit who has been given to us.” There is that comfort of love thatcomes through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Fellowshipof the Spirit is the shared life we have in the Holy Spirit. Every believer isconnected not just to God, but to each other. It is mystical in a sense. Youmay meet someone and feel as though you have known that person all your life.You love that person. Where did that come from? The Holy Spirit. He connects usas we are in Christ. Fourth, this affection and mercy is the tender compassionthat flows from the heart of God. It is also that affection and mercy that comefrom fellow believers because of Christ and the unity we share with them. Paulis essentially asking: Has Christ, and have others, encouraged you? Has Christ,and have others, comforted you? Do you share in the Holy Spirit with others?Have you received God’s mercy? The answer is: “yes, of course!” So then, whatdoes this produce? It produces unity in the body of Christ. Thatis why Paul adds, “fulfill my joy by being like-minded.” Paul alreadyhad joy in Christ and joy in his sufferings, despite his circumstances. But itadded to his joy to know that the believers were getting along with one anotherand were unified in Christ. Unity brings joy. We see it in our families, in ourchurch, and even in our country. It brings joy to spiritual leaders, it bringsjoy to the church, and most importantly, it brings joy to the heart of JesusChrist. Disunity,on the other hand, is more serious than we often think. It is not just apersonality clash. In a sense, it is ingratitude—it is receiving all that Godhas given us yet refusing to reflect His heart toward others. My friend, let usremember today the overwhelming grace that God has given us, as we love oneanother and maintain the right motive for spiritual unity.