Ingredients for Unity – Philippians 2:3
“Ingredients for Unity”
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory: but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than them-
selves.” Philippians 2:3
The word likeminded in Phil. 2:2 pictures unity; it pictures
oneness and a togetherness of God’s people. Note the three
things this togetherness or being likeminded produces in that
verse. First, a unity of affection by having the same love.
Secondly, a unity of being in one accord. Thirdly, a unity of
attitude by being of one mind. So, “togetherness” is the first
ingredient of spiritual unity, giving birth to loving the same
things, having the same heartbeat and thinking along the same
lines; getting our minds in agreement together produces unity.
In verse three we find the second ingredient of unity which
is lowliness. First, we are told to do nothing through strife or
vainglory. D.L. Moody said, “Strife is knocking others down;
vainglory is pushing yourself up.” It’s having an exalted
opinion of yourself which is called pride (see I Peter 5:5&6).
Ingredient number three is found in verse 4. “Look not
every man on his own things, but every man also on the things
of others. ” Obviously, this verse is not our natural tendency,
but verse 21 is a stark statement of reality: “For all seek their
own … ” It’s kind of like the two little kids that were on a hobby
horse and one of them said, “If one of us would get off, I could
ride better.” Selfishness destroys unity, but if you exhibit
thoughtfulness, that will generate unity. Be thoughtful today!
-G.T.
Prepared by Roger Fulk, from excerpts from the “Baptist Bread” June, 2, 2023 devotional by author Gary Trout, Pastor, Bellepoint Baptist Church, Hinton, WV. With permission from Tim Green, editor Baptist Bread.
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