“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 CSB)
A house with cracks in its foundation has the potential to lead to major problems. Water can creep in. Pests can get inside. Ultimately, if left unaddressed, cracks can begin to grow and compromise the structure and stability of the house, putting it at risk of collapse.
Similarly, cracks of discord and disunity that have begun to form within an organization or community that are not properly dealt with can also cause serious damage. It is one of Satan’s most effective strategies. If he can’t get us to turn against Jesus, then at least he can try to get us to turn against one another and cause damage in this way instead.
Is this a problem? In a word, yes. All you need to do is go on social media for a few minutes to witness the latest outrage happening between professing followers of Jesus. It seems that some days, we are well on our way to becoming known for what we are against and what makes us different, rather than what unites us together in Christ.
As Paul wrote from his jail cell, he highlighted the importance of unity within the community and the joy that it brings. He began with an appeal. “If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Paul is reminding us as followers of Jesus to consider the common work of God that we have experienced in our lives.
Have you ever been encouraged by the fact that you know Jesus? Have you ever been struck with the reality of God’s unconditional love, mercy, and affection toward you? Have you ever been blessed by being in a relationship with other believers? So have I, and so have many other Christians at some point too.
Since this is true, then let us build on this foundation and pursue unity together. Let us seek to be a community that is “thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” Just as God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit eternally exist in perfect unity, we ought to seek to be in perfect harmony with one another. This is what Jesus was praying for when He said, “that they may be one” (John 17:11).
So what is the key to seeing this kind of unity happen? How can we ensure that we quickly close the cracks of division and disunity when they begin to appear?
According to Paul, it comes down to one primary factor: humility. It’s the intentional choice to not be led by selfish ambition or vain conceit, but instead to “consider others more important than yourselves.”. It’s a community in which everyone is thinking less often about themselves, and more often about others. It’s a person who is looking out “not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others.” This is a community that is united and strong.
As we look at our lives today and our community, are there cracks of discord that have begun to form in your heart and your relationships with others? Jesus invites you to turn to Him and begin to close the gaps by pursuing selfless humility. Make the intentional choice to turn the spotlight off yourself and onto Jesus through selfless acts of love for others. Choose to humble yourself for the sake of others, just as Christ did for you. This is what will drive us together as one!
