It is becoming increasingly apparent to Americans that we are on the brink of another civil war. Enduring a year of violence and riots tends to make people pessimistic. Both liberals and conservatives are recognizing the signs. Most Americans do not trust the government or the media. And most polls reveal that a growing percentage of people are stockpiling for the inevitable war.
One article suggested that three factors lead to civil wars and that all of them are present in our nation.
1. Previous conflict
2. Deepening cleavage of national identities (race, faith, class)
3. Tribalism (doubts of other groups) > Sectarianism (other groups are evil)
I wish I had good news for you regarding the state of our nation, but according to the polls, none of you would believe me anyways, if I said that I did. Settling for the political tension and polarization in the US may be inevitable, but that should never be the case for the Church. We cannot allow our national pessimism to bleed into our pessimism regarding church conflicts.
In this morning’s passage, Paul continues developing the theme of unity that began in https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php1.27 (Phil 1:27) and finishes at https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php2.18 (Phil 2:18). Having warned his readers about the need to stand firm in the face of a hostile culture, he transitions to the need to pursue unity among one another. Unity not only strengthens believers to withstand attacks from those outside the church, it also heals conflict among those inside the church.
The harsh reality is that even in a community experiencing gospel blessings, there still resides a prideful tendency to divide. The fullness of joy is realized where edified saints are unified in humble service.
Read https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php2.1-4 (Philippians 2:1-4).
The Joy of Gospel Sympathy (1)The motivation for unity is the encouragement, comfort, fellowship, affection, and sympathy that we receive from Christ and the Spirit. This list emphasizes God’s purpose in redemption and its effect upon believers. All of these blessings reveal God’s care for our greatest spiritual and emotional burdens.
Paul’s direct reference to the blessings that flow from Christ and the Spirit indicate that they are the fruit of the gospel. He is not questioning if these qualities exist among the Philippians, but suggesting that their presence is evidence that God is at work, and therefore unity and humility should also be represented.
Your union with Christ is exemplified through your experience of his sympathy. Because you have been the beneficiary of such support, you are called to bear the marks of that reality in your interactions with others.
Before Paul exhorts his readers, he reminds them of the sympathy they have received from God. Before he addresses the tension and division that is present in Philippi, he wants them to reflect upon the rich blessings they have received. This is an important principle for us to learn. Unity among fellow saints begins with gratitude for the work that God has begun.
We ought to enjoy routine reflection upon our covenant blessings. Remind yourself often of the benefits you have received as a child of God. Beyond the future inheritance he has promised in the future, God has enriched your life in the present. Reflect upon the sympathy you have received from your loving Lord.
This is your opportunity to thank God for providing a community in which you experience support and encouragement every week. Our loving fellowship is a reflection of God’s sovereign care. And, as Paul makes clear in the next verse, all of these benefits contribute to the fullness of our joy.
Most TVs have a number of different inputs. You need a spot to plug in your Cable/satellite antennae, your Roku/Apple TV box, your Nintendo Switch/PS5/Xbox X gaming console, etc. etc. Many homes have a massive outlet strip in order to...
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