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The Need of Loving Humility. Php_2:1-4
v. 1. If there be, therefore, any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
v. 2. fulfill ye my joy that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
v. 3. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
v. 4. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
The apostle had urged the Philippian Christians to stand firm in the common battle and to contend for the great blessings of mercy. To this he adds a new thought: If, now, there be any admonition in Christ, if any urging of love, if any fellowship of spirit, if any sympathy and mercies, fulfill my joy that you share the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord. If, on the one hand, all these things count for anything, if they have any effect, then, on the other hand, the results should show. If on Paul's side there was admonition in Christ, if he had been active in exhorting them for the sake of Christ, if he had attempted to influence their will, if his urgings upon their mind and heart had been of any value whatever, then the Philippians in turn should be zealous in unanimity and humility. The result should show fellowship of the spirit, sympathy and mercies, tenderness and compassion. The Spirit of God works real, lasting communion among the Christians. Every believer feels the bonds of this communion and is proud to be held by them. And the work of the Spirit yields compassion and mercies, tender love among the Christians, every one taking a merciful, sympathetic interest in the welfare of the others. With these essential conditions present, humility and compassion can reign supreme. Paul has had reasons for rejoicing over the Philippians and their faith and their love. This joy of his they shall now make full, complete, render it a perfect joy, by proving themselves true Christians in all things, especially in this respect, that they love one another in true unanimity of thought. Their harmony should be so complete that they even think the same thing, their thoughts following the same trend, running in the same channel. This harmonious unity finds its expression in various ways. They have the same love, every one loving the other just as he desires to be loved. They are of one mind or soul, they feel and think as though they had a single soul, deferring to the peculiarities in the judgment of others. They think the one thing, having their minds directed toward that one needful fact that should ever be a Christian's chief consideration, the glory of Christ and the building of His kingdom, assisted by the faithful love of every believer.
To this the apostle adds: Nothing through strife or vainglory, but in humility regarding one another more excellent than yourselves, looking not everyone to his own interests, but every one also to those of others. Selfish ambition, which brooks no interference and picks a quarrel at the slightest provocation, which seeks only its own interests and ends, and tries to exalt itself at the expense of others, has no right to exist in the midst of the Christian congregation. The situation must rather be at all times that Christians in and by humility regard one another as superior, as more excellent, that they mutually count others as in every way to be preferred. By the power of this humble-mindedness, which is the chief characteristic of Christians, each one should think little of himself, but much of his fellow-Christian; each one should see in himself mainly his faults and weaknesses, in the other, however, excellencies of every description. Of every single member of the Church it should finally be true that he have no selfish notion of furthering only his own interests, his own welfare, but always that which is good and of benefit to his brother. That is the way in which true Christian harmony may be upheld and furthered. The general experience seems to show that such congregations as have many advanced and well founded members are apt to sin in this respect, that pride takes possession of their hearts, that sinful, overbearing behavior results.