The Life of Peace in Love

The Life of Peace in Love

Philippians 2:1-4

Preached at Calvary Baptist Church of Crystal River, Florida

Verse 1. In Verse 1 Paul tells the Philippians what he intends to accomplish through the verses that follow. If and there is any encouragement in Christ. If and there is any consolation in love. If and there is any fellowship of the Spirit. If and there is any affection and compassion. Paul is seeking to encourage the brethren, grant them consolation in love, promote fellowship of the Spirit, and help them develop affection and compassion. All of these things are not natural, but are produced as we yield our lives to Christ.

Paul was writing from jail to the persecuted church, so they were in need of encouragement. Paul reminded them that even in tough times we have encouragement in Christ Jesus. As Christians, we are not alone in this world. In this would we will have tribulations and trials, but God is there for us if we know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Hebrews 13:5,6 Once we are saved we have the promise the God will never leave us or forsake us. He is there for us in times of trouble. He is our Refuge and our Strength, a very present help in the time of trouble. When times are tough we can rely on the Lord to get us through. The love of Christ is encouraging for us! There is encouragement in Jesus Christ! If we are discouraged and depressed, Jesus is just a prayer away. We can call upon Him and He will answer. We have the Bible full of promises we can claim. Discouragement comes not from the problems we face, but from having the wrong focus. Colossians 3:1,2 As we focus on the things above and not on the things of earth, then we have His love, joy, and peace. True love and peace come from knowing and trusting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

Paul, also, reminded them that there is comfort in the love of God. Love is forgiving, accepting and comforting. In times of trouble, God loves us no matter what and that provides us comfort. He is faithful to us, even though we may not always be faithful to Him. God is there for us. We can turn to Him and cast all our care on Him for He cares for us.

Christian fellowship is comforting as well. When we are told in Hebrews 10:25 not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, the reason given is because when we have the fellowship of believers we are edified. As Christians, we are to build each other up. The fellowship at church should be an oasis from the struggles and troubles of this world. Church should rejuvenate us in Christ! We need to show affection and compassion to each other. As the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, we will love one another and be forgiving and exhibit compassion to one another.

Verse 2. Paul encouraged the Philippians to make his joy complete or full by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. There is only one will of God. If we all seek it, then we will be unified. The way Christians can be of the same mind and unified is by seeking the will of God and doing it. We need to be of the same love. When we exhibit the love of Christ to each other, we will be unified. Sometimes Christians will attack their own injured. Instead of bearing one another's burdens and so fulfilling the law. Christians will sometimes attack those who trip up. The Bible tells us this is not how we are to act. We need to be loving, forgiving, and help them correct their faults. Also, read Matthew 7 prior to helping them correct their faults. Before we look for faults in others we need to get our hearts right with God. A right heart with God removes pettiness. Love accepts unconditionally. Galatians 6:1 As Christians we are to maintain the same love that Jesus Christ has for us. That same love we should have for the brethren. I John 3:16-18 We need to truly love each other, even though each of us may not be lovely. As we show the true love of Christ, we show Jesus Christ to the world. If we want to see people come to know the Lord, then we need to let God have full control of our lives and allow His love to flow through us. We will love one another as ourselves and forgive each other. Love creates peace and unity.

We are to be united in spirit and intent one purpose. As a church, a group, a body of believers we need to know what our purpose is. Why do we have this church? Why do we have this Bible Study, etc.? A church should have a mission statement or purpose for existence. I can suggest some great purposes. 1. To glorify God and enjoy Him forever (Westminster Confession of Faith) 2. To reach souls for Christ and developing them in Christ after salvation to the glory of God. These are just two examples. We need to evaluate what our purpose is in this church. We then all need to unite and be intent on that purpose. Let's glorify God together!

Verses 3,4. Love creates a united spirit. Instead of seeking our own interests, we seek the things of God. As we seek and do God's will we will be unified. There is only one will of God.

We are not to do anything from selfish desires. We are to be humble and regard others as more important than ourselves. This idea is totally contrary to what the world teaches us. The world says watch out for number one. The Bible tells us to put their interests above our own. Love is the only way to do this. When we love someone, we put their interests above our own. As we love God, we give Him the preeminence in our lives. After God, our spouse is to come next. Many times Pastors confuse loving God with working at church to the neglect of their spouse and family. God first, then your spouse and family, and then the church. As we love each other at church we will put each other's interest ahead of our own. As we put God first and His interest above ours and the put our spouse's interest next, and then our fellow believers we will develop true peace. Peace in a church, in a marriage, in any relationship should be developed out of love. Love creates humility. To love someone and put them first, requires us to die to self and put aside our own selfish desires. James 4:10 'Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.'

Many denominations, churches, and individual Christians try to outdo each other. No one would come out and state that self glory is their desire, but deep inside that is the intent. Albert Barnes states, "The secret aim is to outdo others. There is no holiness in such efforts. This is all wrong....Never once did the Redeemer act from such motive, and never once should such motive be allowed to influence us." Even as Jesus Christ acted out of love for us and gave Himself for us, even so we should love one another. Our motives in what we do are as important if not more so than what we do. If we buy food for someone who is hungry, do we do that out of love or to gain recognition for it? If we invite someone to church, do we do it so that they may come to know the Lord even as we do or do we invite them so we can get glory for our actions? Are we motivated by love or selfishness? We need to be motivated by love. If we are not motivated by love, we need to repent and let God have full control of our lives. I John 1:9 (side note John Calvin states of this verse that "it is a remedy for sin and not a license to sin.")

As we place each other's interests above our own we will have church unity. I wish to encourage each person to get down to business with God. Seek Him in prayer and Bible study at home. Seek the will of God through spending time with Him. Ask God to fill you with His love. As we all do this watch how God takes and uses us to spread the love of Jesus Christ to this lost and dying world.

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