The price of being unified with other believers is paying more than should be expected to pay. But, those willing to make the investment will pay reap eternally more.
I previously demonstrated that in Philippians Paul relates joy to invested partnerships in an ongoing way (see here).
Paul once again makes this connection between invested partnerships (koinonia) and joy in Philippians 2:1-2 when he encourages the Philippians that they will complete his joy by being like minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
From there, Paul shows what is required for Christians to be unified. Namely, if Christians are to be unified then we must count others better than ourselves. We must subordinate our own interests. This is a relatively benign phrase when stated as an abstract truth. It’s when specific examples in your own life come up that it gets tough. Can you think of an example in church life where you have or someone else has been asked to do something that is unreasonable? Such sacrifices are what being unified in Christ require.
You might counter that putting others first should not reasonably be requested. You’re probably right. It’s not reasonable. But Paul emphasizes that this unreasonable price is precisely what is needed. If there is any question that he is calling for such a huge price he addresses it by pointing us to the example of Christ.
Jesus:
- Became humanity
- Served
- Died on the cross
