Overview:
Writing to the church at Philippi, Paul cheered them on with the truth that in Christ
they could find “encouragement . . . consolation of love . . . fellowship of the Spirit . . .
affection and compassion” (Philippians 2:1). Because all of this was true, Paul then
exhorted them to “make [his] joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining
the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (2:2). Great words, but just
because we believe and say them doesn’t make them a reality. Being “united” or “one”
means caring for one another, accepting one another, bending and adapting to make
room for one another, and refusing simply to please ourselves just as Paul wrote in
Philippians 2:3–4 and again in Romans 15:1–13 where he wrapped up his instruction
on the value of true unity
