“ If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:1-4
Who of us, as Christians are not encouraged, comforted and aware of the tremendous tenderness and compassion given us. Most of all, we have been united with Jesus, the Creator of the universe, whom 1 John describes: “…God is love.” We did nothing to deserve this kindness, indeed we do not have to do anything to deserve such kindness. We just have to accept His free gift.
Because we have received all this we should be desirous to please God. We would be fulfilling God’s greatest desire if we would live together in unity. We would help each other, we would pray for (and not condemn) those who fall into sin (we want and need pray in that situation). We would work together to fulfill the vision God has given each of us (when it is ultimately His vision), and we would lovingly correct and pray for those in error (who of us knows everything).
Unity doesn’t mean agreement in small matters. Although it always makes a difference when we know and obey the truth, we don’t have to agree on political issues or even unimportant doctrinal issues or any issue, accept knowing and serving God. For instance, we need to believe that faith in Jesus alone is the only way to know God and enter heaven. Today there is a big movement toward the unity of all faiths. Though there should be respect for man that is created in God’s image and respect for the freedom to believe whatever you chose, meeting with and giving credence to other faith is not the unity that pleases God.
God wants unity and acceptance of each other as brothers and sisters in the faith between His children: “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man’s faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.,,each of us will give an account of himself to God.
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.” Romans 14:1-13 Our goal should be “not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way”.
We should not let “selfish ambition or vain conceit” cloud our thinking. Sometimes we do not realize our perceptions are clouded so we must be careful to accept the correction of the Lord and of others. God only corrects us for His glory and our good: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13 God is always working in His children—those who have “always obeyed”, although often needing forgiveness.
Jesus is our example: “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death– even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 Because of what Jesus did for us, we should be willing to do that for others. We should “consider others better than” ourselves.
Christians have the important points in common. That is why they need to: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called–one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” Ephesians 4:3-7
Jesus determines what each of us are to do for His kingdom: “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:11-16 This passage defines unity: “mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” and disunity “infants…blow here and there” by the demonic. It also tells how to achieve unity: “speaking the truth in love”.
The following passage sums up the reason we are to be united (God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved; called to peace) and how to be united: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12-17 Our lives are to be a continuous joyful service to God.
The Apostle Paul gives examples of his love and respect for the family of God and gives the examples of Timothy and Epaphrodtitus: “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.” 2 Philippians 2:19-30
Each of us has experiences that show how important we all are to the body of Christ. I teach Christian Education in the public school three days a week for ½ hour during noon hour. I teach 1st grade, 2nd grade and 3rd grade. Lois and Cynthia help me. When one of us is missing it makes a great deal of difference. The class still continues and good is accomplished, but not in the same way it is if all of us are there.
One evening a week, my husband and I, Pastor Frank and Lisa, Naomi and sometimes Edith, Susan and Katie teach Kid’s Club. If any one of us who is a major leader is missing, another one has to fulfill a major responsibility. There is less control of the children and less joy of accomplishment. Even leaders who come occasionally have a tremendous effect, if even on their own children’s behavior. We need each other.
A passage in the Old Testament shows that God gives unity: “Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 30:12
We should pray for that unity as Paul did: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:5-7 Unity will bring praise to God.
Jesus prayed for unity: "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23 God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are perfectly united. Jesus wants us to be united with them! Then “the world may believe that you have sent me (Jesus)” and “complete unity” will let “the world know that you sent me (Jesus)”. Jesus wants everyone to accept His free gift of forgiveness of sin and entrance to heaven: “…He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” Philippians 2:14-15 Unity accomplishes God’s goal because we can only “shine like stars in the universe” when we, in several ways, let others know about Him: “hold out the word of life”.
Unity should be our goal: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 and “Make every effort to live in peace with all men…” Hebrews 12:14
Unity is beautiful in the sight of God: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133