By our love we show others the love of God in Christ Jesus. He willing died in our place for our sins and the sins of the world. No greater love exists…He loves us so!
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Romans 8:28: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." Did you catch that? ALL things. Sometimes that is hard to believe in our messy situations. But God said He can work ALL things for good, so He must really mean all things. That includes all of our messes. Yes, God can bring good from a mess. First5
Here’s the deal: Your work (labor) is your turf of responsibility. Which is only part of our DNA. Because no matter where we labor or toil, our calling is to spill the light. And the good news? For this we don’t have to pass a test, or qualify, we have only to be willing. Just let it shine. Because the light is already there. Inside of you. Now.
But here’s the deal: what we do, and who we are, touches lives, plain and simple. This matters more than ever, in a divisive world, a world on edge, a world where a kind word or gesture makes all the difference. We need a reset on making a difference.
On January 1, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all enslaved people free in Confederate territory. But many enslaved people didn't get the news right away. June 19, 1865 is when word of the proclamation reached African Americans in Texas. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner reminds us, “This is not just another day where you just take off... It is a day of freedom, of liberation. Sabbath Moments
Philippians 2:1-4
2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. The New King James Version
Paul is not questioning whether the Philippians have these things; he is using a rhetorical expression to say that, since the believers do in fact have these things, they should complete his joy by demonstrating unity.
If believers cannot live in unity, the transformative power of the gospel comes into question. As a result, the gospel message may lose credibility among unbelievers. The Greek word used here, sympsychos, describes sharing the same attitude or mindset—namely, the mindset of Jesus Christ.
This points back to the letter’s main purpose of encouraging the Philippians to stand firm together without arrogance, pride, or an inflated ego. This attitude is reflected throughout the chapter in the examples of Christ. Faithlife Study Bible
The Philippians’ biggest battle was not with their external circumstances but with those internal attitudes that destroy unity.
Paul had demonstrated his own refusal to let external circumstances control his attitudes. The therefore ties together his conflict and their conflict. Scripture teaches that our fellowship is not only with God the Holy Spirit as seen here, but also with God the Father and God the Son, as well as with other Christians.
The Greek term means compassionate desires that develop in response to a situation and that stimulate a person to meet recognized needs in that situation.
Strong’s #4866: The image in Greek is drawn from athletic contests. Usually, athletes competed one against another; Paul asks the church at Philippi to compete together as a team of athletes to help advance the faith that comes through the preaching of the gospel. In this verse the apostle sets forth a fourfold appeal, an appeal that expresses one major idea—namely the unity of the church. Paul describes the greatest example of humility, Jesus Christ Himself.
Paul is stressing a unity of spirit between Christians, literally “a togetherness of soul.” The words Paul uses to indicate one mind are virtually identical to the words translated like-minded earlier in this verse. Paul was strongly emphasizing the unity that should exist between believers and how they must single-mindedly strive together to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pride should not be a Christian’s motivation; instead everything should be done in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word suggests a deep sense of humility. Although the pagan writers used the word negatively, in effect to mean abjectness or groveling, Paul did not. What Paul was calling for was an honest evaluation of one’s own nature. Such an evaluation should always lead to a glorification of Christ.
It indicates a thorough analysis of the facts in order to reach a correct conclusion about the matter. In other words, each Philippian Christian was to properly assess himself or herself. Such an assessment would lead to valuing others. The honest self-examination that Paul was calling for leads to true humility. The NKJV Study Bible
Kindness is the law of Christ’s kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. Several motives to brotherly love are mentioned. If you expect or experience the benefit of God’s compassions to yourselves, be compassionate one to another.
It is the joy of ministers to see people like-minded. Christ came to humble us, let there not be among us a spirit of pride. We must be severe upon our own faults, and quick in observing our own defects, but ready to make favourable allowances for others. We must kindly care for others, but not be busy-bodies in other men’s matters. Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed, without lowliness of mind. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
Romans 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
1 Corinthians 13:5 love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
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