“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1–4, ESV)

What is it that motivates you? Do you find encouragement in Christ?

In the first verse of this passage (above), Paul gives four motivations.  These form the initial part of a first class conditional sentence.  Though the word ‘if’ is used, the first-century reader would have known that Paul was assuming these things to be true… there is encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, participation in the Spirit, and affection and sympathy when we are truly living as Christians.  The second part of the sentence defines the desired result—unity. One way this is accomplished is provided in verse 3, which prohibits acting from selfish ambition or vain deceit, and calls the reader to humbly place others above self. Paul’s counsel is that there should be concern for the interests of others, in addition to concern for one’s own interests.

This past week 69 high school age campers made their way to Prairie States Christian Service Camp. It was hot and humid with temperatures in the upper 80’s and lower 90’s. The beds are nowhere near as comfortable as those at home. Though there were several times in which they had freedom to do what they wanted, much of the day involved structured activity. Probably most significant is that they were not allowed access to their telephones. Yet they were able to make it till Saturday morning without any serious behavioral problems, all the while accomplishing some significant goals.

The negative conditions were overcome by following Paul’s admonitions to the Christians at Philippi.  They were able to unite together to accomplish a goal.  Over $825 was raised for Monterrey Christian Mission. Do the math! Sure, they wanted to see the two leaders get a pie in the face, but it wouldn’t have been possible without a willingness to humbly “count others more significant than [them]selves.”  It was only by determining to “look not only to [their] own interests, but also to the interests of others” that they could dig down deep into their pockets and give sacrificially.

In Romans 12:2 Paul calls for us to refuse to be conformed to the world; we are to be transformed.  The Greek word translated ‘transformed’ is the source of our word metamorphosis. We are to change that much – from ugly caterpillars to beautiful butterflies. But transformation and growth do not come easy.  Paul says that it occurs when we are willing to renew our minds, to change our ways of thinking.  We need one another in order to overcome the pressures of the world.

If not the opportunity to slap a pie in someone’s face, what motivates you?