Unity Through Humility
March 6, 2020
Commentary
The Apostle Paul said: “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Cor. 1:12-13). In chapter one we learned how circumstances can rob us of our joy. Now we are going to be reminded of how people can rob us of our joy. When Epaphroditus came to Rome to visit Paul he apparently brought some bad news of a possible division in the church at Philippi. Paul does not explain exactly what is happening but in a gracious way he is saying, “your disagreements reveal that there is a spiritual problem in your fellowship (vv. 1-6). This problem is not going to be solved by rules and regulations but it will only be solved when your hearts are right with Christ and with each other." Divisions are usually caused by selfishness and pride.
There is a difference between unity and uniformity. God’s love in people’s hearts produces spiritual unity in their lives. The secret to joy in spite of people is found in verse three and is accomplished through a submissive mind. “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better (more important) than themselves.” Many people live only to make an impression on others or to please themselves. Selfish ambition can ruin a church. On the other hand humility before God and man is a virtue every child of God needs to strive for. Jesus is our example, it was He who served others and not others who served him (vv. 7-11). He was always on call serving fishermen, harlots, tax collectors, the sick, etc. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
Application
The true test of a humble servant is not how much I am willing to take in terms of suffering, but how much I am willing to give in terms of sacrifice. The question is how much of self am I willing to place on the cross?
Philippians 2:1– 8 (NET)
1 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, 2 complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. 3 Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. 4 Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well. 5 You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,
6 who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.
8 He humbled himself, by becoming obedient to the point of death —even death on a cross!