Philippians Chapter Two
Be the Same As Christ
By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.
© May 28, 2010
www.godsbreath.net
Copies of this and other homilies
available by sending requests to: mikefarrar@aol.com
In
the second chapter of the New Testament book of Philippians, Paul in his loving
and encouraging manner challenged the believers in Philippi and God challenges
us today as well in this portion of scripture. This passage, inspired by God,
seeks to have us examine our inner spiritual life, our relationship with our
Lord and Master Jesus Christ, as well as the witness of our Christian example
before others.
Paul
begins with asking about four BIG “Ifs.”
Philippians 2:1
“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,”
The
intention of this first verse was for the Christians at Philippi to evaluate
their spiritual condition. This applies to us as well today. We are called to
evaluate our inner spiritual condition as well as our relationship with God,
specifically the relationship we have with the Holy Spirit that lives within us
as Christians.
The
first “If” is, do we have encouragement in our lives from accepting Jesus as
our personal Lord and Savior? It is a given, that if we really have dedicated
our lives to Christ and accepted Him as our Savior then we will be encouraged
in our new holy standing before our Heavenly Father. If we are not encouraged,
then possibly we need to evaluate our commitment to the Lord. Possibly we fail
to understand adequately the commitment we have made. Maybe we don’t understand
all the benefits we have as a child of God. Whatever the case, if we truly have
been saved of our sins, then we will experience an encouragement in our heart,
mind and soul as we live for Christ.
The
second “If” is, do we have comfort from experiencing the love of Jesus Christ?
When we accept Christ as our Savior there is a mental commitment we make to the
facts of the gospel. We understand we are sinful and there is a penalty for
that sin. We understand that Christ paid the penalty on the cross for this sin
and if we accept Him as our Savior then our sins are paid for and we have a
clean standing before our Heavenly Father. But with this mental awareness of
what is accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ comes a deep
comfort in our soul and spirit. To understand that the wrath of God’s judgment
had been hanging over our head because of our sins and now with our belief in
Christ’s work on the cross that this judgment is no longer present should bring
great comfort to us and inexpressible joy.
The
next “If” is, do we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit? This is a much more critical
“If” for if our fellowship with the Holy Spirit is not healthy then we are not
healthy as a Christian. The Holy Spirit is given to each believer when they
accept Christ as Savior and His ministry is to comfort, teach, instruct and
convict us of sin. This fellowship with the Holy Spirit is vitally important to
us as servants of Christ.
The
final “If” is, do we have tenderness and compassion? These are expressions of
behavior that flow from having positive answers to all the previous “ifs.” If
we have encouragement, comfort and fellowship in our relationship with God then
it follows that we will express tenderness and compassion towards others.
Paul,
after asking about these BIG “Ifs” then makes a request. This request was made
of the Philippian believers and applies to us as well. He states in verse 2:
“then make my joy
complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and
purpose.”
God
was speaking to the Philippians through Paul and God is saying to you and me
right now: If you have any encouragement from being saved, if you have any
comfort from knowing your sins have been forgiven, if you have ongoing and
consistent fellowship with the Holy Spirit then please God with your attitude,
behavior and actions towards other Christians. Paul’s joy would be made
complete if the Christians at Philippi would be in agreement in their dealings
with one another, if they have deep Christian love for one another, if they
will be united by the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide all their decisions
and actions and if they will rally around the one purpose of glorifying God in
their local fellowship and the impact it has on the local community. I’ve
elaborated on what the verse has stated and I believe it is an accurate
commentary of what God inspired Paul to request of the Philippian believers and
I believe the same request is made of us today as we read this passage. We
bring God joy when we are unified with other Christians in love and service to
others.
Numerous
times in scripture we are commanded to “love one another.” This priority of
love and unity within God’s church is a high priority to our Heavenly Father.
The next time we are tempted to think or say something bad about another
Christian we need to check our spirit and remember this passage. But the
message of this passage does not stop here. Paul continues with further advice
and recommendations for Christian conduct. Verses 3 and 4 state,
“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.”
These
verses hit the fleshly motivations that live within us right on their head. Our
“selfish ambition” is the thoughts and desires that we have for what will best
serve our needs and desires. Our “vain conceit” is the desire for personal
attention and honor that can influence our attitudes and behaviors. This
passage is commanding us NOT to let these selfish motivations influence our
behaviors or thought life. As with most godly commands we are avoid certain
actions and in their place substitute godly behavior. The godly recommendations
here are to seek humility and consider others better or more important than us.
We naturally look out for our own interests, but here in verse 4 we are also
told to strongly consider the interests of others as we go about daily life. We
must broaden our concerns and priorities to not just include our own wants and
needs but also the needs and desires of others. Why? Verse 5 answers this
question and implied in the answer is the basic core calling of each and every
Christian: Because we are called to be Christ-like. Jesus Christ put the needs
and desires of others first and that is what we are called to do as well. Verses
5 through 8 present the role model we are to strive for in our Christian
lifestyle that includes the deepest parts of our heart and soul as well as the
thoughts that are considered in our mind.
“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!”
Christ had a unique dual nature,
being both fully God and fully man. Even though He was completely and fully
God, He did not grasp or cling to this nature and avoid the responsibility that
lay before Him. Instead, He also became, fully human and humbled Himself to the
lowest point possibly by allowing Himself to die on the cross for the sins of
mankind. Because of His obedience and sacrifice His Heavenly Father exalted
Him, as it states in verses 9 through 11, to the point that everyone will
confess that Jesus is Lord.
“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.”
As Christians we have confessed He is Lord when we accepted Him as
our Savior. We are confessing Him as Lord as we live godly each and every day.
And we will confess Him as Lord as we live eternally in Heaven with Him. At the
great judgment, non-believers will also confess Him as Lord as they kneel
before Him and accept the penalty for their refusal to accept His sacrifice for
their sins. Every tongue will say to His face, “You are Lord over all.”
Finally in verses 12 through 16 Paul shares some encouragements
for Christian living that we should take to heart that result from having
encouragement and comfort from accepting Christ as Savior and having fellowship
with the Holy Spirit. He states,
“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. 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 — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not
run or labor for nothing.”
Here we are instructed to obey God, at
all times, not just when we are around other people. We are continue to work
out our Salvation by obeying God with great reverence and respect and allow God
to work in us the transformation that He desires to do, to make us more like
Christ each and every day. We are to do this without bickering and complaining
so that our witness will be without blemish. If we live out our faith in this
manner, we will be pure and holy examples in a wicked sinful world and
demonstrate what God can do when humble individuals submit to His love and
will. Our witness will shine like bright white stars if we live out the Word in
our inward thoughts and outward actions.
In verse 16 Paul ends this passage with a
desire that his efforts to disciple the Philippians will not be in vain. We
should have this same desire for our Christian brothers and sisters. We should
strive to love, encourage, uphold and stimulate each other as Christians so
that each of us becomes more Christ-like. As we do this in unity through
serving one another, each of us will not have labored in vain in our efforts to
help each other to grow in Christ.
1 Thessalonians
5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and
build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
“And we urge you, brothers, warn those
who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
2 Timothy 4:2-3
“Preach the Word; be
prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with
great patience and careful instruction.”
Hebrews 3:13
“But encourage one another
daily.”
Hebrews 10:25
“Let us encourage one
another.”
1 Peter 1:15-16
“But just as he who called you is holy,
so be holy in all you do.”