Unity

Examine with me two verses written to the church at Philippi by the Apostle Paul - a church with a lack of unity:

NAU Philippians 2:2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Paul is exhorting the church to live together in unity in view of the four facts of the previous verse -

Philippians 2:1. So let us examine these four facts or keys to church unity.

NAU Philippians 2:1 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,

According to Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament the word "if", which is used several times in this verse, is the translation of a conditional particle referring to a fulfilled condition. This could be translated "since" or "in view of the fact." The four things mentioned in verse one are all fact not hypothetical things.

Point:

1 - If there is any encouragement in Christ:

Christ's example of a wonderful life itself should be an admonition and exhortation and encouragement to the Philippians to live in a state of harmony among themselves.

2 - if there is any consolation of love:

The tender persuasion and encouragement that exhorts to unity among the Philippians comes from God's love for them. Their realization of divine love that reached down and saved them should urge them to live in a spirit of unity with one another. In addition to that, this divine love produced in the hearts of the Philippian saints by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), should cause them to so love each other with a love that impels one to sacrifice one's self for the one loved. This will cause their little differences to be ironed out and they will live in unity with one another.

3 - if there is any fellowship of the Spirit:

Each of them participates with the Holy Spirit in a common interest and activity, and therefore, if each saint is interested in the things of the Holy Spirit, and thus the same things, there should naturally follow a unity among the Philippians. The Holy Spirit by thus controlling each saint produces this unity and accord amongst them. The Holy Spirit already indwelt each of the members of the church at Philippi. However, this unity of the Holy Spirit does not come by His indwelling the believer but rather by His control over the believer. The saints at Philippi were not living Spirit filled lives. A Spirit filled life is a Spirit controlled life.

4 - if any affection and compassion:

The God given graces of affection and compassion (the fruit of the Spirit) present in the saints at Philippi would move them to live at peace with one another. Little differences would be patched up. Estrangements would be healed. Bickering would cease.

These same four facts are just as true today. Therefore:

make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. NAU Philippians 2:2