Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.… I. Up to this point the apostle continues his APPEAL FOR UNANIMITY. The spirit of this appeal is that of profound and tender sympathy with Christ. When history gives up her dead it will be found that where the rod has conquered its tens, love has won its thousands. The anxiety for entire oneness in the Church is in harmony with Christ's prayer. Paul was wont to call for this. Absence of union is a reflection on the uniting force. II. THE UNITING FORCE IN A CHRISTIAN CHURCH IS THE LOVE OF CHRIST. Where, then, there is disunion, it is plain that there is either not sufficient of this love, or that it is unequal to the exigencies of the case. Hence the grandeur and urgency of the appeal, "If there be any consolation in Christ;" as though he had said, "Remember that Christ's love is on trial." Men are looking on you as an experiment, and that not only you but Christ Himself will be deeply involved in the event of failure. III. A DISCORDANT CHURCH IS A REFLECTION ON THE MORAL POWER OF THE SAVIOUR, BECAUSE, WITHOUT HIM THE CHURCH WOULD NOT BE IN EXISTENCE. The world has a right to compare the deeds of the servant with the spirit of the Master, because the connection is moral and involves responsibility. A recently erected edifice, e.g., has fallen. How do men treat the fact? They instantly connect it with the architect or the builder. When a chemical experiment has failed men blame the manipulator. So all the practices of the Church are carried back to Christ, and He is magnified, or put to an open shame, according to their nature. IV. WHAT CONCLUSION ARE WE TO COME TO FROM ALL THIS ON THE SUBJECT OF MUTUAL DISCIPLINE? Are charity and justice to be sundered? Is there not to be a law of right in the Church? Is the garment of love to be thrown over the leper? Hear what Paul says (2 Thessalonians 3:6; Romans 16:17). The tones vary but the voice is the same Christ called Herod a fox, and said that Nathaniel was without guile. God can be warm as summer and chilling as winter. The apostle is perfectly consistent. The voice is as truly one as is the voice of a mother, when she sings her child to slumber, or shrieks at the approach of a ravenous beast. (J. Parker, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. |
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