Philippians - Antidote to Anxiety (Lesson 7 - Post 1)

Philippians 4: 2 - 9

There are 2 thieves that rob us of our well-being.  They steal from us the feeling of richness in our own lives, of joy and of peace.  Paul addresses both of these villains in Chapter 4 of Philippians.  The thieves are Anxiety and Discontent.  Anxiety attacks the mind.  Discontent attacks the heart.  The mind and the heart are the parts of you that make life possible ... meaningful ... rich.

First, consider the mind.  Consider the role that anxiety plays in robbing your mind.  The Greek word translated, anxiety, is merimnao.  One of the definitions of this word is "to have a distracting care".  Notice, it is not to have cares ... we all have cares and concerns about people we love and circumstances we must navigate.  It is when the care becomes so distracting that you cannot live your life ... it has moved over into the realm of anxiety.  We also get some insight from our English word, worry.  It comes from an Anglo-Saxon root which means, "to strangle".  Same idea.  Your life is strangled when anxiety rules supreme.

So, what's the antidote?  Paul mentions 5 mental practices that will help us do battle with our tendency toward anxiety.  They are things of discipline.  They are things we can literally 'practice'.

Number 1 ... Believers are to agree in the Lord - not in the flesh - in the Lord.  Not according to the ways of the world - but in the Lord.  Doesn't mean we will all think alike.  What does that phrase mean to you?  How can you practice it in your own life?  It's important.  Unity in the body of Christ is of utmost importance.  Jesus prayed for it ... He said it would be the proof to the world that God had really sent Him and He was the Son of God.  (John 17)  Need to practice?

Number 2 ... Paul tells us in verse 4 to rejoice - always!  It is command language.  It is instruction language.  It does not depend on circumstances.  Need to practice?  Are you having to live through circumstances right now that could rob you of joy in your life?  Don't let them!  Choose to practice joy in the Lord.  What does that mean to you?

Number 3 ... Paul tells us in verse 5 that our 'gentleness' should be evident - observable.  This is not talking about people who have a natural temperament of gentleness.  All believers need to be observably gentle spirited.  Definitions for this Greek word include:  "seemingly, suitable, equitable, fair, mild, gentle."  Are you?  Do you practice?

Doing battle with anxiety is worth the effort.  These give us enough to 'practice' for one day!

(To be continued ...)

Philippians - Example (Lesson 6 - Post 3)

Philippians 3: 17 - 4:1

Paul, centuries ago, described our own culture!  How did he know where we would be iin 2012?  Perhaps he described all cultures, regardless of place or time, that exist for their own purposes.  He calls them "enemies of the cross."  The description is in verse 19. 

Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.  Their mind is on earthly things.

He nails it!  Our world is the same.  So many people live for their own appetites only.  So many people in our day find some kind of glory in shameful things. There is no thought to anything other than things of this earth ... the money, position, power ... that exist in this world.   And they do not even realize that the end of such focus is destruction.  Fight that mindset!  Every day.  Every moment.  Our citizenship is NOT here. 

To fight such a mindset, Paul encourages these people whom he loves to follow his example.  Wow!  Follow his pattern.  That's a bold statement.  He makes it because, as we have seen over and over in this little letter, his focus and mind are on his Lord, on Jesus, on the position he holds in Christ, and on fulfilling God's purpose for him. 

Some questions for us today ... who is following your example?  Is it your children?  Perhaps a spouse or a friend?  To whom do you need to be an example?  Could it be some folks you have interaction with who are not believers?  What do they think of Christ and Christianity because of their association with you?  Could you be bold enough to say "follow my example?"  Or do you tend more toward the statement, "Do what I say, not what I do"? 

We, too, need to follow Paul's example.  And that challenge rises high above the pettiness and the self-centeredness of our culture.  May you walk as an example today ...

          Lord, may I walk with You today in such a way that those around me can see You.

  May my children see You through me.

  May the people I am with today see You through me. 

May I live this day so that anyone copying my focus, my mindset, my priorities

will find themselves focused on You. 

That will only happen as I surrender SELF today and allow You, through Your Spirit, to live through me. 

May it be ... to Your glory.  

Philippians - Forgetting (Lesson 6 - Post 2)

Philippians 3: 12 - 16

As we consider these beautiful verses again, today focus your attention on Paul's comments about "forgetting what is behind." 

To what degree would you say your past dictates your behaviors and choices in your present?  We are all shaped by our pasts.  Paul has been.  Our family of origin, our experiences, our training, our failures and our successes all contribute to the way we react and make decisions in our present ... which effects our future.

Paul said,

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Obviously, forgetting is not some kind of mind-zap that eradicates memory from us.  But it is getting to a place where the experience or memory no longer controls behaviors.  It means the past does not dictate my choices or my direction in the "now".  Paul had much to "forget".  For one thing, he had to refrain from despair over the way he zealously persecuted Christians before he knew the Lord - the way he pursued believers in his effort to squash faith in Jesus - the day he stood by watching and supporting those who stoned Stephen to death because of his faith in Jesus  (Acts 7: 54 - 8:1).  Those failures could have paralyzed Paul.  He had to "forget".

Paul also had to "forget" the exalted place of special revelation that had been granted to him by God  (2 Corinthians 12: 1 - 6).  That remarkable place could lead one to conceit and arrogance!  So Paul chose to "forget" it.

Now think of your own life.  Are there failures that you are allowing power over your present?  Can you get so depressed over past failure that you find yourself paralyzed in the today?  Perhaps fear of making the same mistakes keeps you from stepping out in your faith.  Paul encourages us to "forget" it!  Confess the sin ... repent and turn around ... and press on.  God is faithful and forgives the confessed sin, holding it against you no more!  (1 John 1:9)  Remember - that's why Jesus went to the cross!  Do you believe God?   

Or perhaps you tend to relish and live in past successes?  This is the "good old days" mindset that keeps us from living in the today - from pressing on into our future with anticipation and hope. This is remembering past spiritual high places - not to thank God for them, to celebrate His hand in them - but to believe that nothing will ever be as good again.  Paul encourages us to "forget" it! 

I love the image of a rear view mirror in our cars.  A rear view mirror is important.  So is your past.  Check it out occasionally.  Learn from the errors - celebrate the successes.  But never try to drive focused on the rear view mirror.  You will crash!  You drive by looking forward.  You also live best by, in Paul's words, "pressing on to the goal for which God has called us heavenward." 

Let's take Paul's words to heart today.  Forget your past ... press on into your future.  It is glorious if it is nestled in the life of Christ Jesus our Lord.  That doesn't mean it will be easy ... but it will be glorious.   To the praise of God the Father!

Philippians - Press On (Lesson 6 - Post 1)

Philippians 3: 12 - 16

Paul waxed so eloquent in the first half of Chapter 3 explaining the source of our salvation.  He left not one doubt that it does not come from any position or heritage or work or resume that we may have.  It is COMPLETELY from God by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Period.  So ... how to live?

The antinomians of Paul's day were a group of people who denied that there was any law at all in the Christian life.  They declared that they were within the grace of God so it did not matter what they did.  No discipline, no effort, no nothing.  Paul adamantly refutes that thought!  How in the world can a person who has received such amazing grace not respond with love and service to the giver of such a remarkable gift?

He began the second half of this chapter with the language of "pressing on".  The very language speaks to effort, to striving, to determination.  It reminds me of Paul's words about "work out your own salvation."  It does matter how we live.  It does matter that we strive to fulfill the purposes for which God has called us.

Paul was captured on that road to Damascus (Acts 9) and he was forever changed.  Now his life is driven by "one thing" ... and that is pressing on to the Lord.

This "pressing on" is a theme Paul uses in other places - it matters to him.  Listen to what he told Timothy, the young man he was training:

"Train yourself to be godly.  Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value to all things, holding promise for both the present and the life to come."

1 Timothy 4: 7 - 8

So ... you know the questions we must ask.  And I challenge you to answer them ... don't just read and blow past them.  In fact, I suggest you write your answers down - writing helps clarify your thoughts and will help you see if you have any answer at all.

• Are you in training ... or just 'going with the flow'?
• What things are you doing to train yourself in godliness?
• How often do you focus on those things?
• What is God's purpose for you?  
• Are you straining to accomplish that?  

Lord, our world is in such a horrific mess.  Our cities and communities are rampant with evil and pain.  They need people who "know Christ and the power of His resurrection".  They need Christians who are trained in godliness - who know what it means to live according to Your will and purpose for their lives.  My Father how we want to be one of those!  Help us want it more.  Help us not to be content with a closed-off form of Christianity that only focuses on what I want, when I want it.  Help us ...  

Philippians - Heart's Desire (Lesson 5 - Post 3)

Philippians 3: 7 - 11

What is your heart's desire?  Do you ever think about it?  Does it usually revolve around things of this world ... or relationships with people of this world?  In these few verses, we get a glimpse into the very heart's desire of Paul.  Nothing else is as important to him.  Everything else can go except for this one thing. 

I want to know Christ ...

"The word Paul chooses for "know" is part of the verb ginoskein and that word almost always indicates personal knowledge.  It is not simply intellectual knowledge; it is not the knowledge of certain facts or theories or even principles.  It is the personal experience of another person."  (William Barclay)

Consider - in the Old Testament, when we are told that "Adam knew Eve and she conceived and bare Cain", we see that the word "know" is used to refer to sexual intimacy between a man and his wife.  In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, this word ginoskein is used.  Paul uses the same word in the cry of his heart.  He longs for the most intimate, personal, experiential relationship with God.  And everything else he willingly releases for that kind of "knowing". 

Today ... write verses 10 - 11 on a card for yourself and carry it around with you all day.  Let it be your reminder ... I pray that the very words will be transformative in each of our lives ... that we will deepen our own longing for such knowledge of God. 

Philippians - Circumcision (Lesson 5 - Post 2)

We are studying Philippians 3: 1 - 11.  Today focus your attention on 3:3 - 6.

Circumcision was a sacred practice for the Jewish people.  God established that covenant sign in Genesis 17 with Abraham.  It was physical.  It marked the males as belonging to the people of God.  It was to be the physical evidence that marked a people surrendered to the will of God - committed to fulfilling His purposes for them.  It was never meant to be a sign devoid of its meaning.  And yet it became just that. 

Even in the Old Testament, God clarified the real purpose ...

Deuteronomy 10: 14 - 16  "To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.  Yet the Lord set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today.  Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer."

Jeremiah 4: 3 - 4:  "This is what the Lord says to the men of Judah and to Jerusalem: 'Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns.  Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, circumcise your hearts, you men of Judah and people of Jerusalem, or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done ...'"

And then Paul, a Hebrew of Hebrews, nationally as pure as the driven snow, gets it.  He understands the meaning and intent behind circumcision.  He explains it in Romans 2: 28 - 29  "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.  No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, but the Spirit, not by the written code.  Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God." 

Many Jews believed that the outward sign was all that was needed.  That sign placed them in the family of God.  One did not have to deal with the heart - Lordship - submission. 

Old Testament prophets, New Testament apostles - all warn us about that false thinking.  We can succumb to the same temptation when we place any physical thing, even good and necessary things, in the place of heart submission to God.  We can place a particular church membership, regular attendance, Lord's Supper every week, even baptism in the place of a circumcised heart.  And when we do ... we model after these Jews rather than after our Lord. 

So my question for us today ... Have you been circumcised?  Yes, ladies, I am even talking to you!  Circumcise your heart. 

Paul does not leave us in the dark ... he reveals some evidence so that we can know. 

Those of the true circumcision ...

• worship by the Spirit of God ... worship is a way of life, not an event
• glorify Jesus above all else ... relying on Him for our place in the family of God
• put NO confidence in the flesh ... no confidence in human effort.  NOTHING we do places God in our debt.  We are forever in His debt. 

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 5:1

Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!

Romans 7:25

Philippians - False Teachers (Lesson 5 - Post 1)

Lesson 5 is Philippians 3: 1 - 11.  After reading the passage, go back and focus your attention on verses 1 - 3. 

We cannot read these verses without realizing the seriousness of the false teaching about which Paul was so concerned.  The continual problem that faced the New Testament churches was the false teachers who were insisting that the only way to be a Christian was to be a Jew first.  One had to be circumcised.  Those teachers seemed to have followed Paul.  We read much regarding that false teaching in Galatians.  The way Paul describes these pseudo-prophets is harsh and vivid.  Three descriptors ...

• dogs - not the lovable family pets that we think of when we hear the word.  These were the street dogs that often ran in packs causing havoc and trouble.  It was the name that Jews called Gentiles - the undesirable ones.  Even as late as the writing of Revelation, in Revelation 22:15 as Jesus describes those who will be outside of the New Jerusalem of God, he said "Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood."  Paul called these false teachers "dogs".
• men who do evil - the Jews saw themselves as the ones who worked righteousness.  But Paul identifies these teaches as working evil, not righteousness.
• the mutilators - rather than the circumcised ones (which was a spiritually significant sign) Paul calls them the mutilators (a practice strictly forbidden for the people of God - Leviticus 21:5).  The word had to do with cutting oneself, even castration. 

Paul continually preaches and teaches that the only way to righteousness is through faith in Jesus Christ.  These false teachers were perverting that truth.  Therefore, Paul is tough in his language about them.  Remember in chapter 1:18 where Paul took such an "what does it matter" attitude toward those who were teaching Christ with poor motives?  He could almost shrug because Christ was being preached.  The problem with these teachers in chapter 3 is they were preaching a "Christ is not quite enough" message.  And Paul had no patience or tolerance for that distorted teaching.

It matters ... who you listen to.  Jesus, Himself, warned about false teachers.  In Matthew 7:15 he said, "Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." 

How do we do that?  The warnings are real and incredibly serious.  So, how can we know?   A few thoughts for your consideration ...

1. Jesus said in Matthew 7 that you can know by the fruit that is formed.  Does a teacher produce good fruit - greater faith, more love for God, obedience to the will of God?  Or does the teaching produce dissension and quarrelling and self-righteousness? 
2. Does the teacher glorify Christ?  Does he/she point to Christ or point more often to him/herself?
3. Keep yourself immersed in the Word of God so that you know what Jesus said to see if the teaching is true and consistent with the teachings of Jesus.
4. Pray that the Spirit of God will give you a spirit of discernment and wisdom.  James tells us in James 1:5 "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

The only righteousness that can stand before God is Christ-righteousness.  And the only way we have access to His righteousness is through faith.  Period!

Philippians - Commendations (Lesson 4 - Post 3)

Read Philippians 2: 19 - 30.

Paul commends two faithful men in these verses.  Remember how Paul spoke about "partnership" in the beginning of this letter?  Well these two men were partners with Paul in the truest sense of the word.  A couple of observations ...

First, about Timothy.  I see Timothy's servant mind and heart in verses 19 - 21.  He was genuinely concerned about the welfare of the Philippian believers.  He exemplified Paul's instruction to "look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (2:4)  I wonder if he learned that from his mom and grandmother?  We know they had trained him well.  Perhaps he had learned the importance of that spirit from Paul himself.  He was modeling the spirit of Christ.  In verse 22 I see a servant's training.  He worked alongside Paul.  He didn't launch out on his own at the beginning.  He allowed himself to learn ... to be trained ... to grow.  There is humility in that. 

Second, about Apaphroditus.  Paul knew him as brother - that's family.  As co-worker - that's shared tasks.  As fellow soldier - that's 'band of brothers' stuff, battles faced and fought.  Who in your life fits those categories?  I pray that you have some.  Because actually, that's partnership in the gospel.  We learn in verse 30 that Epaphroditus had "risked his life" to help Paul.  Paul chose such an interesting word that is translated "risk" in this description.  The word is paraboleuesthai (try pronouncing that one!)  At it's root is the idea of comparing one thing to another - do you see 'parable' in there?  But an outlying definition applies the word to gambling.  William Barclay describes it as "to stake everything on a turn of the dice".  Paul is saying that Epaphroditus recklessly risked his life for the sake of Christ.  As we close our thoughts on this man from Philippi, think through the following remarks from Barclay ...

In the days of the Early Church there was an association of men and women called the parabolani, the gamblers.  It was their aim and object to visit the prisoners and the sick, especially those who were ill with dangerous and infectious diseases.  In A. D. 252 plague broke out in Carthage; the heathen threw out the bodies of their dead, and fled in terror.  Cyprian, the Christian bishop, gathered his congregation together and set them to burying the dead and nursing the sick in that plague-stricken city; and by so doing they saved the city, at the risk of their lives, from destruction and desolation.

There would be in the Christian an almost reckless courage which is ready to gamble with its life to serve Christ and to serve men. 

The Church always needs the parabolani, the gamblers of Christ.

Some questions to close our thoughts today ...

• Do I have a servant's heart and mind? 
• Am I willing to be trained or do I need to be 'in charge'?
• What would I risk for the sake of Christ? 

May we see more parabolani rise up in the Christian church of our day!  Perhaps me?  Perhaps you? 

God give us the courage and the will to serve you with abandon ...

Philippians - Shine (Lesson 4 - Post 2)

Read again Philippians 2: 12 - 18.

God's people are to shine in the world.  It has been true throughout the ages.  Paul wants us shining like stars!  What a beautiful image.  Let your heart hear these words ...

Psalm 34:5  Those who look at Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

Daniel 12:3  Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

2 Corinthians 3:18  And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Are you shining?  Paul gives us a litmus paper test so that we can know.  Here it is ...
Are you living your life ... dealing with your circumstances ... WITH complaining and arguing or WITHOUT complaining and arguing? 

The word translated "complaining" in the NIV can also be translated "murmuring".  It is a word that describes discontented mutterings against leaders.  In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures) it is the word used to describe the Israelites murmuring against Moses and God in the wilderness experience.  Paul tells us - if we want to shine - then live your life without that attitude and behavior.  No murmuring.  The word does not imply that we must not share our struggles, process them with other Godly people, discuss the difficulty and the challenges.  It does mean that there is not to be this undercurrent of complaining against God. 

Paul also says that we are to quit arguing.  No more ill-natured, useless debating.  It saps too much precious energy and dulls your glow! 

The result will be that you are ...

• blameless - in relationship with the world.  There will be no reason for censure or blame from the world over your behavior
• pure (innocent) - in relationship with yourself.  You will be unadulterated, unmixed.  This implies sincerity in thought, motive and action.
• without fault (above reproach) - in relationship with God.  You will be a fit sacrifice, without blemish.  And the living sacrifice of your life will be pleasing and acceptable to God.  That can only happen because of Jesus and His perfect sacrificial death on your behalf. 

What does Paul want you to do? 

SHINE

and

REJOICE at the privilege!



Philippians - Work it! (Lesson 4 - Post 1)

Read Philippians 2: 12 - 18.

Paul has just finished writing that beautiful descriptor of Jesus in 2: 6 - 11.  We saw who Jesus was, where He had come from, how He had behaved and what had been the result.  Paul then turns his attention to his readers ... to believers.  Considering the person of Jesus ... just what difference does that make in our everyday lives? 

So we work it out!  Our salvation is not a gift that we take for granted.  It is a gift - indeed - we can't work for it or earn it.  God does not "owe" us anything because we are so terrific!  Jesus Christ is Lord ... to the glory of God the Father ... and our acceptance of that truth, the confession of those words, the life submitted to that reality ... secures us in the family of God.  So why does Paul tell us to "work out our salvation"? 

I am helped by the explanation in the Renovare' Spiritual Formation Bible: 

Our relationship with God, our "salvation," is a cooperative venture.  God works salvation in, and we work salvation out.  God initiates transformation by stimulating our desire to follow him, inspiring acts expressing that desire, providing strength to persevere, and so on.  We, in turn, respond by deciding to follow, acting on God's inspiration, and choosing to persevere.

What God has worked in us ... so make it visible. 

Our English translations of the Bible use the word, "work", in both verses 12 and 13.  But in the Greek language these are two entirely different words.  The "work" in verse 12 (katergazomai) means to "to do that from which something results."  Kenneth Wuest defines it:  "to carry out to the goal, to carry to its ultimate conclusion."  However, the word in verse 13 (energeo) is different.  This word means "to energize, to provide the necessary power."   Two different words - two different concepts.  Paul says to you and I ... let your life show what God has done in you.  It won't be easy.  It will take work ... hard work ... work out your salvation.  He goes on to address the how ... God will give you the power and the energy and the will to do just that. 

God empowers us to will and to act according to his good purpose.  That will is our 'want tos' - our desires - our choices.  The act is our behaviors - our doings.  God empowers all of it to fall under his good purpose for our lives. 

So ... consider for yourself today ... am I struggling with the desire to work God's life out?  Would I rather just sit back and do no work along those lines at all?  It's seems so much easier to live according to my flesh and worldly nature.  After all, that's what my culture encourages me to do.  It's really hard to consider the other person instead of just myself and my interests.  It's really hard to forgive offenses. 

Or ... are you struggling more with the willingness to submit yourself to the Lordship of Jesus and the control of God?  Do you basically not really believe that God will empower you to do those things?  He either can't or He won't - He's not all that powerful or I'm just not that important to Him?  And, my friend, both those options border on blasphemy! 

God can ... and will ... work in you so that you can desire and actually be who He has called you to be.  Trust Him.  Submit to Him.  Talk to Him about it right now ...

Philippians - The Example (Lesson 3 - Post 3)

Our third lesson is Philippians 1: 27 - 2:11.  Today our focus will be Philippians 2: 5 - 11.

Paul is addressing the barriers to unity in a church.  We explored the causes and remedies that he describes in verses 1 - 4 in Post 2 of this lesson.  Now Paul lays down the quintessential remedy ... the premier antidote to disunity. 

Verse 5 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

Well ... that can't happen!  But wait ... can it?  Let me remind you of some things ...

Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Corinthians 2:16 - ... we have the mind of Christ.

Romans 8: 9 - You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit ...

We could go on ... but you get the picture!  Paul tells us to adopt the attitude of Christ.  Scripture tells us that Christ lives in us through the Holy Spirit.  So, perhaps it is not so impossible!

And what was Christ's attitude?  It is beautifully described in Philippians 2: 6 - 8.  Christ made the choice to humble himself.  He chose to be a servant.  He modeled it for us.  No selfish ambition - no vain conceit.  Can we do it?  Not perfectly ... but we can do it better than we currently are.  We can practice more. And that is our challenge of the day!  Today ... practice better.  Today ... choose to set yourself aside in some way so that another can be blessed.  Today ... ask God to show you where you are being self-absorbed.  And when He shows you, don't deny it, don't justify it ... deal with it.  Confess it.  And lay it on the cross allowing Jesus to carry it.  That's what He did.  He carried our junk so that we don't have to. 

Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that ...

Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Amen ...

Philippians - United (Lesson 3 - Post 2)

We are in Philippians 1: 27 - 2:11.  Today focus your attention on 2: 1 - 4.

Unity is one of the primary themes in Paul's letter to these Christians.  Perhaps disunity has risen its ugly head in this beloved church.  It happens - often!  It seems to be one of Satan's favorite and most effective tools against us.  Divide and conquer.  In the spirit of the "Screwtape Letters" by C. S. Lewis, I can almost hear a conversation between Satan and one of his demons going like this: 

Plant the idea in a few people's minds that they are not important.  Whisper to them quietly that no one cares about their thoughts, needs and/or ideas.  Suggest to them that no one really cares to have them around.  Place a seed of doubt in their minds about the others in the group.  Let them know that the "other" can't really be trusted.  Then just wait ... those thoughts will do their insidious work and before too long ... we will have created divisions and rifts and chasms that these believers will have a hard time moving beyond.  In fact ... and here's the beauty of it ... they won't even want to!  And then, my dear minion, the testimony of that church will be silenced.

Paul loves the Philippian church too much to allow any such thoughts to go unaddressed.  Therefore, he carefully reminds these believers of what causes disunity ... and what heals it. 

The causes are laid down in verses 3 - 4. 

Cause 1 - doing anything out of selfish ambition.  The Greek word used here means:  electioneering; or intriguing for office; a desire to put oneself forward (Strong's Concordance)  {As we are in an election year in this country ... we have a very clear picture of just what this Greek word means!}  Selfish ambition ... the desire to be in the forefront ... a cause for disunity.

Cause 2 - doing anything out of vain conceit.  This Greek word means: personal prestige; to be sought after (Strong's Concordance)  Vain conceit ... activity designed to make people want me more than the Lord ... a cause for disunity. 

Cause 3 - considering the interests of myself as the only thing that matters.  This characteristic views life - personal, family, church, all of it - as a competition.  I have to win ... therefore, you must loose.  Sorry :(
A cause for disunity. 

But Paul does not leave his readers in a funk of depression over how hopeless the situation is ... because it is not!  There is an antidote ... there is a remedy ... there is hope.  And he reminds them, and us, of the beautiful, miraculous, unifying things that bind us together. 

• There is the fact that, as believers, we are ALL IN CHRIST!  William Barclay said, "If a man has Christ as the companion of his way, he is inevitably the companion of every fellow wayfarer.  No man can live in the atmosphere of Christ, and at the same time live in bitterness with his fellow-men."
• There is the power of Christian love.  That power provides victory over the self-will and moves us into the territory of God's will.
• There is the shared Holy Spirit ... binding man to God and believer to believer.
• There is the existence of human compassion and tenderness.  We first experience it from Christ Himself and then pass it on to each other. 

After those four, Paul then offers the quintessential antidote - the most powerful medicine against disunity - adopting the very attitude of Christ.  We will explore those verses in Post 3. 

Lord, I don't want to contribute to any spirit of disunity in Your Body.  I long for our witness to the world around us be strong and pure.  Forgive us when we are more full of selfish ambition and vain conceit that we are full of Your Spirit.  We crucify 'self' again today ... and pray that this day ... we live Your life through our individual situations.  And by Your Spirit and Your power ... it can be done!