Philippians 2:3-4, 21 Radical Unity

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Observation:

Paul is describing a community where everyone pulls together instead of apart. It is a community that knows its purpose and doesn't let anything interfere with it.  The community Paul describes is an extended spiritual family where others line up to become apart of this sacred assembly to make it their home because they feel encouraged and they know that they are loved.  Paul encourages the Philippians to strive for radical unity by being like Christ, who put Himself last and took the cross and its shame, so we are to love and serve one another the same way.

Application:

The radical unity Paul describes is difficult to do in American culture. Several things work against us. The first being that we are told it is all about us, we should get what we want when we want, and Jesus is a mere genie that we use to protect us from heaven and ask for safety and physical blessings from. This thought pattern also leads to church hopping, always looking for the next feel good message, never really laying down roots at any church. 

Another thing that works against radical unity in America, is busyness. We are too busy to have deep conversations with people to listen to where they are at and meet their needs. We are a slave to our schedules, which rarely have time to minister to others. 

How do we fight against this current of selfishness as a church? Well it starts with each of us individually. We first get quiet before the Lord, fixing our eyes on Him, asking Him to open our eyes to those around us and to prepare our hearts to love them deeply and unselfishly. As the Lord answers that prayer, which He will do, determine in your heart to be obedient to whatever He lays on your heart to do for others. As each one of take steps that allow God to change us, we will experience the radical community that Paul talks about.

Prayer:

Father, I fix my eyes on You for You are the author and perfecter of my faith. I pray that You would open my eyes to those around me whom I can love and bless. I determine in my heart to be obedient to whatever You ask of me.