Unity Worthy of the Gospel

July 13 | Donavon Hintz

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Last week we discussed what it looks like to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God. This week we continue that thought as Paul focuses on unity. Even the best, healthiest churches can be threatened by division. Paul knew this and saw the potential for problems due to disunity in the Philippian church. This was a strong, loving, generous church—Paul says he thanks God every time he remembers them! But even they faced the danger of disunity.

So Paul pleads with them to pursue true spiritual unity. In these verses, Paul gives us the why, the what, and the how.

The Why: Gratitude Drives Unity

Paul begins by giving us the why. He doesn’t command unity in a cold, legalistic way. He roots the call in gratitude for everything Christ has done for us. It’s as if Paul is saying: Since you have received so much from the Lord, respond in gratitude.

He lists four things that should drive us to gratitude: encouragement, love, His Spirit, and affection and sympathy. If we have received all of this grace—and we have—how can we justify division, bitterness, and selfish ambition? Unity is our thankful response to the unearned, immeasurable grace of God. If God has given us so much, how can we not give Him what He desires most—that His people would be one?

The What: United Together

Next, Paul shows us what true spiritual unity looks like by giving four clear marks: same mind, meaning we think alike, bound together by biblical truth rather than shared emotion or experience; same love, a selfless, sacrificial love for one another rooted in our shared commitment to God’s Word; united in spirit—literally one soul—as a spiritual family without divisions based on status, race, or background, seeing each other as one in Christ; and intent on one purpose, with a shared goal of glorifying God above our own preferences or agendas. This is what the world needs to see: a church united in truth, bound in love, living as one soul, and pursuing one purpose—the glory of God.

The How: Humility Over Selfishness

Now Paul moves to the how. How do we actually pursue this unity? He gives us clear instructions in verses 3 and 4. These principles offer us very practical ways to do a self-inventory of our own lives. Selfish ambition and conceit have always been part of the way the world works. We must work to get rid of these if we see them in our lives. They are unity killers. Instead of selfish ambitions and conceited efforts, Paul calls us to humility and putting the needs of others above our own. He knows there will never be unity in a body of believers apart from people walking in humility. Putting others’ needs before our own and counting others as more significant than ourselves doesn’t come naturally; it takes constant effort on our part to entrust our lives to Jesus and His ways.

Unity isn’t an option for God’s church; it is Jesus’ prayer and command. Disunity harms our witness to the world. Unity magnifies the power of the Spirit at work in us, which is the only way we can do this. May God’s overwhelming grace drive us to gratitude, to live a life of unity together, putting Jesus’ love on display through our humility and care for others.