In Philippians chapter 2 Paul knew what some church workers today do not know, that there is a difference between unity and uniformity. True spiritual unity comes from within; it is a matter of the heart. Uniformity is the result of pressure from without. There can be no joy in the life of the Christian who puts himself above others. The humble person is not one who thinks less of himself; he simply does not think of himself at all!
Paul mentions the 2nd thing that can rob us of joy, “people”. We see one of satan’s best weapons against the church “division”. Far too often the church has succumbed to this tactic of the devil by making what we differ on greater than what unites us. The real problem Paul says isn’t the person in whom you disagree; the real problem is that you don’t value them as much as you value yourself! There are four reasons given by Paul as to why the church ought to operate in unity each starts with the word IF in verse 1.
•Consolation in Christ: What Jesus has done for us should be all the incentive we need to live in peace and harmony with each other.
•Comfort of love: Since the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts comforting us we ought to have that for each other as well.
•Communion of the Spirit: We are all indwelt by the same Spirit and as such there should be nothing to divide us.
•Compassion and mercy: We ought to possess a wealth of compassion and mercy as we have received such from God.
If I consider you above me, and you consider me above you, we will have a community where everyone is looked up to, and no one is looked down on!