How Should We Live As A Follower of Jesus
(Philippians 2:1-5 LSB) “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, fulfill my joy, that you think the same way, by maintaining the same love, being united in spirit, thinking on one purpose, doing nothing from selfish ambition or vain glory, but with humility of mind regarding one another as more important than yourselves, not merely looking out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Paul is exhorting the Philippians to be united in their present struggle since they are engaged as Paul is. For me, Paul is saying that: “If there is any fellowship (unity) of the Spirit” you should be strengthened to endure the hardships in every struggle, as long as the Holy Spirit is in fellowship (unity) with you. Pauls’s second use of “spirit” is that which is a comradely with one another, i.e., “a comrade in arms,” “a team”. There is a dual fellowship taking place: One with the Holy Spirit, and with one another (a unity of spirit). I think Paul uses particular characteristics to show how the Philippians genuinely are to be in unity of the spirit. Paul’s ending in verse five informs the Philippians that these same characteristics are those of Christ Jesus, which I say it points back to the first verse; a unity on spirit as one.
Paul does outline doctrinal concerns in Ephesians and Colossians while here he is more emotional and exhorting; Paul does not offer verses one through five as doctrinal they are an emotional plea for the struggle the Philippians have in concert with him in the unity of the faith.
I have read many commentaries on this particular issue and every one of them is far too academic. Many commentators are not focused on the humanity of Paul’s struggles. Commentators are language guided, and not interested in the human experience displayed in Paul’s letters. It is as if academics cannot empathize with Paul and the Philippians in their struggle to preach and live the gospel message. This hostility concerning the gospel’s message of including a unity in the spirit between the Gentile’s and Jew’s is a difficult one, if not seemingly impossible. Even today, this unity in the spirit is absent among various congregations in the west. Doctrines not handed down by the apostles are more important than living for Christ. Instead, there is this constant conflict or competition between congregations to show who is closer to the Lord, or who does more for the the Lord. End result they who hold to this form of logic are not accepted by the Lord, and even violates the doctrinal edict handed down by the apostles. We see this in 1 Timothy 6:3 where it plainly states: “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness…” Today, there is much disunity between competing congregations of all denominations and non-denominations. It is my hope as well as the hope of many others that this disunity end, and we all realize that there is only one faith, one hope, and one church (called out ones), and one Lord of that church–Jesus Christ.
The preceding verses again shows the majesty of God in Christ and points once more to verse one.
Philippians 2:6-14 LSB “who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing…”
What do we today make of what was written to the Philippians 1900 plus years ago? For me, there is no difference between then and now, except: The fellowship with the Spirit and the fellowship with other believers (Gentiles and Jews) in unity of the spirit does not exist. However, I do believe that this lack of fellowship and unity between Gentile and Jew in the faith Paul mentions in Ephesians will come to pass as the day of Lord approaches closer and closer. Gentile and Jew, Gentile and Gentile will come together in the faith, and this coming together (unity in the spirit) will begin sooner rather than later. Why? Because the world is now heading back to the way it was during the time of the Apostles.
Followers of Christ Jesus you can no longer be separated from one another because of envy, strife or manmade doctrine that causes error and a divergence from what Paul handed down to us. We must, unite in spirit and truth as our brethren of the past did, and we must do it in full fellowship with the Holy Spirit and one another in spirit. Above all, we should strive to be as Paul exhorted the Philippians: To be more and more like Christ.
The Mystery of Christian Unity Part 1 John MacArthur
I’ll close this study out with Paul’s prayer from Ephesians:
For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the full knowledge of Him, so that you—the eyes of your heart having been enlightened—will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe according to the working of the might of His strength, which He worked in Christ, by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:15-21 LSB)
May God bless and keep everyone who belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mike Kovach
3 December 2021
The Christian Underground Journal
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Reference LSB, Legacy Standard Bible.
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