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IF… (Philippians 2:1-2)
There are times, perhaps when reading, listening
to a sermon, or maybe remembering a childhood poem like Kipling's 'If'
we can be struck by how simplistic life's little homilies can be.
If you can keep your head when all those about you
are losing theirs and blaming it on you..
If you can dream and not make dreams your master;
If you can think and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same…
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much…
It all sounds good in theory, like, 'When you wish upon a star', but
really is life like that? Of course not and we grow up (hopefully) to
know it.
Paul's take on 'If' is much more grounded, not at all wistful, and cuts
to the heart of the Christian life. The root of these two verses is
Philippians 1:29:
For it has been granted to you on behalf
of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since
you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear
that I still have
Having reminded the Philippians in verse 27 to 'conduct yourselves worthy
of the gospel of Christ' he reminds them that faith has been granted
them in order that they can do just that even as they struggle ('whatever
happens' v.27). This is not Kipiling's 'If you can keep your head…'
Rather it is Paul urging believers to look to Christ 'our living head'
in order that we can conduct ourselves worthy. Oh, how we fail, but
oh, how we should look to him the more when we do because:
If you have any encouragement from being
united with Christ…
A Christian is united with Christ and being a Christian should be an
encouragement to us, a help even in the difficult times.
If any comfort from his love…
Christians face many struggles, as did the Philippians, but these don't
disqualify us rather they should spur us to seek to know his love and
comfort.
If any fellowship in the Spirit…
Christians are privileged to have the Holy Spirit indwell them. Does
our life reflect that indwelling?
If any tenderness and compassion…
The indwelling love of Christ should change our hearts and make us more
responsive to the needs of others showing compassion, as would Christ.
If we are truly granted faith 'to believe in him', we also have faith
'to suffer for him' and to face the challenges that life and the devil
throw at us. This is not to deny the struggles, nor is it Kipling's
challenge to keep your head, but a reminder to look to our head, Jesus.
If we are true believers then, whatever the challenge these things will
be true of us. if they are Paul urges us on in three ways. Make 'my
love complete', he writes, by:
Being like-minded
- united in mind
Having the same love
- united in heart
One in spirit and purpose - united
in purpose
Christians don't agree on everything, but the outworking of Christ's
love in us shows in an overall unity of mind, a true and sacrificial
love for one another, and a unity in purpose that will keep us on course
when struggles come.
Maybe a little self-searching this week will show us where the love
of Christ might compel us to sacrifice something of ourselves and our
ambitions in order to achieve that overall unity in mind and purpose
so essential to ministry as well as personal growth. Maybe looking again
to our living head this week will reconnect us with that purpose and
heart that sees us through the struggles. Maybe there is someone we
can simply encourage this week in the love of Christ.
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe
on him, but also to suffer for him…