Demands of Unity

by Micky Galloway

Philippians 2:1-5, “If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; (doing) nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

This admonition is timeless. The apostle Paul appeals to the brethren in Philippi to live in unity among themselves. We share the same purpose, motives, harmonious relations, and goal.

What a blessing we have with such unity and what a responsibility. Jesus prayed fervently just before his betrayal and crucifixion, “Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, (art) in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us: that the world may believe that thou didst send me. And the glory which thou hast given me I have given unto them; that they may be one, even as we (are) one; I in them, and thou in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that thou didst send me, and lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me” (John 17:20-23). How are we ever going to accomplish our objective of teaching the lost about our Savior when we are divided among ourselves? (So counterproductive!) James describes this as the wisdom of the world (i.e., foolishness), “Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. This wisdom is not (a wisdom) that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy” (James 3:13-17).

To the troubled Corinthians, Paul commanded, “Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and (that) there be no divisions among you; but (that) ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (I Corinthians 1:10).

Unity demands humility. “(Doing) nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

• “Faction,” (selfish ambition, NKJV): “denotes ambition, self-seeking, rivalry, self-will being an underlying idea in the word; hence denotes party-making … derived from erithos, a hireling; hence the meaning of seeking to win followers …” (Vine). It produces strife (cf. Philippians 1:16; James 3:14). Paul was clear when he said “a factious man refuse …” (Titus 3:10-11).
• “Vainglory,” (conceit, NKJV): “groundless self-esteem, empty pride … adj., glory without reason, conceited … eager for empty glory” (Thayer). Paul warned, “For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3; cf. Galatians 5:26, 14-15). Humility serves and unites (cf. I Peter 5:5).

Unity demands that we consider others better than ourselves. “… each counting other better than himself; not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others” (Philippians 2:4). The disciples had a hard time understanding this! Shortly after he had declared to them the sobering news, “The Son of man is delivered up into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he shall rise again, … they had disputed one with another on the way, who (was) the greatest.” Can you imagine? This was a common dispute among them (cf. Luke 22:24). Jesus, knowing their thoughts, sat them down and said, “If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:31-35; cf. Romans 12:16). Others first, self last! Why would we do that? We are members of the same body (I Corinthians 12:25-27). It is our desire to edify (not destroy) the body (Romans 14:19-20).

Unity demands that we have the mind of Christ. “Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus …” (Philippians 2:5). This is the summation of the text! Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:28-29). Following another dispute among the disciples about who would be “greatest,” Jesus showed the disciples how to put others first, and self last. He did not come to be served, but to serve, “For the Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). He demonstrated this attitude by washing their feet (John 13:2-17). He taught them that making oneself a servant to others is the mark of true greatness (cf. Matthew 20:20-28). After a dispute among the disciples regarding their greatness, He asked them, “For which is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat?” And then declared, “but I am in the midst of you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:24-27). Thinking of others rather than himself, He left the glories of heaven, came to earth, and on earth He continued to think of others and served others. “He humbled himself, becoming obedient (even) unto death, yea, the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

This unity is not easy. It requires each one “giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). In dealing with differences among brethren in the realm of authorized liberties, Paul said, “Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus: that with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, even as Christ also received you, to the glory of God” (Romans 15:5-7).

Ahh! The blessedness of such unity. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard; that came down upon the skirt of his garments; Like the dew of Hermon, that cometh down upon the mountains of Zion: for there Jehovah commanded the blessing, even life for evermore” (Psalms 133).