Striving Together
In the first chapter of Philippians, the Apostle Paul authentically writes about his love for the saints in the Church of Phillippi. He is very tenderhearted towards them in expressing his love and gratitude for their partnership in the Gospel. He vulnerably shares that often he prays for them, and he communicates the loving thoughts he holds for them.
There are several very important words found in his writings to this community of believers. Love, partnership, grace, prayers, being together, and living as one in Spirit. In chapter two, Paul speaks profoundly on humility and his encouragement to fully embrace it with each another. He was reminding the Philippians that their community could only exist while in unity with each other.
Phil.1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
Phil.1:15-18 Paul speaks about those who were preaching the gospel with ulterior motives of envy and rivalry or competition. Those ulterior motives caused division that could be clearly seen by the entire community. Paul acknowledged this and instructed his friends to live in a different way, to live in agreement with each other. By being one in Spirit and striving together for the gospel will bring glory to God. Living any other way would not bring glory to God.
Amos 3:3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
Why is agreement and being one in spirit so important? Because, unified partnerships are critical for blessings, grace and releasing the power of God in any given situation, especially prayer! King David writes this truth in Ps.133:1-3.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life evermore.
Mt.18:18-20 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
If there is no agreement together, God will not be present! He does not abide in any chaos. He is the God of peace; Jesus, the Prince of Peace. The Greek definition for peace is, “to set as one.” Gods very triune nature models this. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. They work in perfect harmony; they are one. God modeled what agreement in unity looks like so we can walk in it.
Jesus prayed one of his very last prayers before being crucified that his followers would be one as He and the Father are one. Jn.17
Paul enforced the critical truth of standing firm together. To stand firm together means that there is a commitment. Commitment meaning there is skin in the game. Commitment always demands sacrifice in some form or fashion. It is too often true that people say they are committed to something or someone, but their actions do not authenticate their words. That is not commitment!
The commitment between two people needs to be clearly communicated before there can be agreement and sign on the dotted line, as in a contract. Clarity in what you are committing to is critical because commitment to anything or anyone will cost you something. It pays to read the fine print and know what is in the contract.
The Apostle Paul is strongly teaching the saints that there is only one Spirit to be committed to, The Holy Spirit and his purpose. The word purpose means to put forward with deliberate intent. The purpose Paul was referring to is found in 1:27b stand firm in the one Spirit striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This purpose is the gospel message of truth, love, acceptance and forgiveness which are all essential in a relationship.
Paul uses the words “striving together.” The Greek word for striving means “to seek jointly.” To do that according to the Greek definition, one wrestles in company with another. In other words, “what we passionately do, we do with each other and not to each other.” We love each other well on this journey together and sometimes that means not being offended and practicing humility and forgiveness.
In summary, Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Amos 3:3
There has to be agreement on the purpose of being together.
There has to be not just a verbal agreement but a sacrificial commitment to the purpose.
Great effort by all parties must be made to keep the main thing the main thing.
Stand firm or stead-fast in this walk together with only one Spirit: no factions or divisions in relationships.
God’s favor will rest on those who are committed to strive together as one for the glory of God.
You are loved!
There are several very important words found in his writings to this community of believers. Love, partnership, grace, prayers, being together, and living as one in Spirit. In chapter two, Paul speaks profoundly on humility and his encouragement to fully embrace it with each another. He was reminding the Philippians that their community could only exist while in unity with each other.
Phil.1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.
Phil.1:15-18 Paul speaks about those who were preaching the gospel with ulterior motives of envy and rivalry or competition. Those ulterior motives caused division that could be clearly seen by the entire community. Paul acknowledged this and instructed his friends to live in a different way, to live in agreement with each other. By being one in Spirit and striving together for the gospel will bring glory to God. Living any other way would not bring glory to God.
Amos 3:3 Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?
Why is agreement and being one in spirit so important? Because, unified partnerships are critical for blessings, grace and releasing the power of God in any given situation, especially prayer! King David writes this truth in Ps.133:1-3.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life evermore.
Mt.18:18-20 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.
If there is no agreement together, God will not be present! He does not abide in any chaos. He is the God of peace; Jesus, the Prince of Peace. The Greek definition for peace is, “to set as one.” Gods very triune nature models this. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. They work in perfect harmony; they are one. God modeled what agreement in unity looks like so we can walk in it.
Jesus prayed one of his very last prayers before being crucified that his followers would be one as He and the Father are one. Jn.17
Paul enforced the critical truth of standing firm together. To stand firm together means that there is a commitment. Commitment meaning there is skin in the game. Commitment always demands sacrifice in some form or fashion. It is too often true that people say they are committed to something or someone, but their actions do not authenticate their words. That is not commitment!
The commitment between two people needs to be clearly communicated before there can be agreement and sign on the dotted line, as in a contract. Clarity in what you are committing to is critical because commitment to anything or anyone will cost you something. It pays to read the fine print and know what is in the contract.
The Apostle Paul is strongly teaching the saints that there is only one Spirit to be committed to, The Holy Spirit and his purpose. The word purpose means to put forward with deliberate intent. The purpose Paul was referring to is found in 1:27b stand firm in the one Spirit striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This purpose is the gospel message of truth, love, acceptance and forgiveness which are all essential in a relationship.
Paul uses the words “striving together.” The Greek word for striving means “to seek jointly.” To do that according to the Greek definition, one wrestles in company with another. In other words, “what we passionately do, we do with each other and not to each other.” We love each other well on this journey together and sometimes that means not being offended and practicing humility and forgiveness.
In summary, Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? Amos 3:3
There has to be agreement on the purpose of being together.
There has to be not just a verbal agreement but a sacrificial commitment to the purpose.
Great effort by all parties must be made to keep the main thing the main thing.
Stand firm or stead-fast in this walk together with only one Spirit: no factions or divisions in relationships.
God’s favor will rest on those who are committed to strive together as one for the glory of God.
You are loved!
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