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Unity Through Humility
The end of another semester with our college students has arrived. Since they returned from winter break, I have had the privilege of leading a study for them in the book of Philippians. Most of our adults have been studying Philippians in recent weeks as well.
Recently, I took a moment to reflect back on the entire semester and ask myself what passage(s) were most impactful to me. It didn’t take me long to settle on a very meaningful and relevant passage from Paul’s letter; Philippians 2.1-11.
If you are like me, most of the time when I read these verses my focus is on the great sacrifice that Jesus made in taking on flesh and coming to earth to be a sacrifice. But that’s not really the point of this passage at all.
The most critical thing Paul is hoping to communicate in this passage is an encouragement “to be of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit and intent on one purpose.” Plain and simple, this passage of scripture is about unity.
Paul was no stranger to witnessing congregations fractured by division. So Paul doesn’t just tell these brethren to be united, He tells them how. And that leads him to the topic of humility with the following exhortation.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2.3-4
What is the key to achieving unity? It’s humility, or as Paul writes… considering one another as more important than ourselves.
Paul’s case study in humility which produces unity is then found in Christ. Jesus “emptied Himself” in order to exercise obedience to a plan that would ultimately unite all of us; both with the Father and with each other. Humility produced unity.
Are you interested in unity within our congregation? If you are, as I am, join me in considering the ways in which we can do a better job of looking out not only for our own interests, but also for the interests of others. And in doing so, consider each other as more important than ourselves.
Philippians 2.1-11 — I hope you will also come to appreciate this passage for the nearly limitless application of these principles to present times when we have opinions, feelings and concerns about what is next for our congregation as we navigate difficult topics like racial injustice and the end of the pandemic.
