Have you ever wanted something for someone so badly that you pleaded with them for it?
Not just dropping all of the hints or even doing subliminal messaging, but flat out pleading with someone for something? This is how badly Paul wants unity for the Philippians.
Read Philippians 2:1-11 in your Bible. Then read below and see the bold print text. This will show you the emphasis on how much he really wants this for them.
Verse 1 – So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
Verse 2 – complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Verse 3 – Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Verse 4 – Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Verses 5-8 – Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Verses 9-11 – Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Pray that you may complete Jesus’ joy this week by truly putting others first.
By Dan Bender