Live together in harmony, live together in love - as though you had only one mind and one spirit between you. Never act from motives of rivalry or personal vanity, but in humility, think more of each other than you do of yourselves. None of you should think only of his own affairs, but consider other people’s interests, too. Let your attitude to life be that of Christ Jesus Himself. Philippians 2:2-5
In chapter two of the book of Philippians, Paul addresses the issue of harmony within the body. But of course, there is no chapter division – those adjustments were made later by those who would ‘help us better understand the teaching of the epistle.’ So one must see this admonition as a continuation of the problem addressed at the end of “chapter one.’ This is Paul’s answer to the assault of enemies of the church – to have the attitude of Christ to life. His solution deals not only with the problems of opposition but provides a life style approach to whatever we might encounter.
Jesus was once asked what was the greatest commandment. His reply upheld the teaching of the Law – Love the Lord Your God with all your heart, mind and soul. And, He added, love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus 19:18 and also in verse 34) When He was further questioned – who is my neighbor? - He explained through the parable of the Good Samaritan. This analogy would not have been lost on the Jews. If one would show such kindness to his enemy, it would be a natural action with his brother.
But in his letter to the Philippian church, Paul was not speaking to Jews who knew the law given through Moses. These were Gentiles who lived in the competitive atmosphere of the Roman civilization and had been raised on the value of individual importance. Paul knew that to practice such selfless love would require a foregone conclusion. They could not wait until they saw the Samaritan on the road. They needed to choose this life style and allow it to prevail in all circumstances. They could accomplish this by living in love with one mind. Paul encourages them to rid their fellowship of division and rivalry, to find strength in harmony. And he asks them to be sacrificial – to have the attitude of Christ Jesus. For Jesus chose a life of submission and humility long before He traveled the paths of Judea, before He gathered his disciples, before he walked to Golgotha. From the beginning, Jesus was One with God but stripped Himself of those privileges and made Himself nothing. He came, not in the form of a king, but of a servant. He endured, even the death of a common criminal, and secured salvation for mankind. This, Paul says to the Philippians, is the attitude they must exemplify.
Paul’s plea for harmony within the church identifies the potency of the enemy within. In C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters, Satan achieves his greatest victories, not by exploiting the outside attack of the “warped and diseased” world, but through tiny cracks on the inside. Petty jealousy, rivalry, pride and self indulgence weather the foundation of Christian belief, bringing disharmony and possible disunity or, perhaps as destructive, a weakness in teaching and doctrinal belief. The only answer to this attack is the pure and intelligent love exemplified by Christ and available through belief and obedience to Him. Paul’s insistence on harmony within the church body as well as a loving attitude toward others indicates the need for a more pristine understanding of the attitude of Christ Jesus.
The church has experienced internal weakening throughout its history, often coming, surprisingly, in times of affluence and security. When the edification of self becomes paramount, the values of humility and harmony diminish in importance. In His letter to the young churches, (I John 1:5-7), John reminds them that when they say they live in the light and continue to have dissentions among themselves, they are both telling and living a lie.
It is a great responsibility that we have been given as Christians. “You are the world’s light,” Jesus told His disciples. Jesus explained in the Sermon on the Mount “ Men don’t light a lamp and then hide it under a bucket. So you should let your light shine.” Paul tells the Philippians they are like lights shining in the darkness. In all things, Christians are directed to “Shine.” But like the moon, whose cool presence in the night sky is an image of the brightness of the sun, we shine by reflection and, in so doing, we introduce others to the Light. Paul’s plea for harmony within the body of believers was more than a need to ease tensions and smooth feelings. The grumblings and arguing were a threat to the sharing of the gospel because it weakened the reflection of the light.
Thought Questions: 1. Why does a commitment to love others need to be a primary concern of Christians? Is it possible to “decide” to love others? What might be a weakness in that decision?
2. Is Paul’s appeal for harmony within the body a valid concern today?
3. Paul prayed that the church at Philippi have a love that was knowledgeable and insightful. How might that lead to harmony within the body?
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