Jesus' mandate for all the Christians in our city has, for the most part, remained in a figurative locked box -- unseen and unappreciated. The key to unlocking this box is found in the Philippians 1:1. The apostle Paul greets the Philippians as follows:
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.
"All the saints in Christ Jesus" is another way of saying, "All the Christians." Recognition that Paul's epistle was written to all the Christians at Philippi is the interpretive key that opens the lid to compelling insights. Philippians was not written to me merely as a member of my local fellowship. It was written to me as a member together with all the Christians in my town. If I am to properly understand and apply the message of Philippians, I must understand its all-Christian, city-wide message and application. For example, Philippians 1:27 says:
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, striving together for the faith of the gospel.
Realizing that the above verse was written not to "a group of saints" in Philippi, but to "all the saints" in Philippi unlocks the following insights:
- It is God's will that all the Christians in our town "stand firm in one spirit."
- It is God's will that all the Christians in our town are "striving together for the faith of the gospel."
Similarly, this interpretive key unlocks critical insights from Philippians 2:1-2, which says:
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
The simple, unlocked interpretation is:
- It is God's will that all the Christians in our town express their union with Christ and one another by being like-minded.
- It is God's will that all the Christians in our town share the strength of Christ's love with each other; not just with those who go to their church.
- It is God's will that all the Christians in our town express their fellowship with the Holy Spirit by being one in spirit and purpose with their brothers and sisters from other congregations.
It is my observation that we have disobeyed God's will written through the pen of the apostle Paul. And it is my assertion that we can begin to obey God's will by uniting together occasionally and more intentionally for worship, prayer, inspirational teaching, and planning for city-wide outreach activities. Some relevant thoughts:
1. Does "like-minded" mean we must believe exactly the same things?
Answer: No, the Greek word translated "like-minded" is phroneo, which W.E. Vines says "implies moral interest or reflection, not mere unreasoning opinion." Elsewhere in Philippians, phroneo is translated as follows:
- For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all because I have you in my heart (Phil 1:7 NASB)
- United in spirit, intent on one purpose or being one in spirit and of one mind (Phil 2:2 NASB and TNIV).
- Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus or have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had (Phil 2:5 NASB and TNIV).
The above uses of phroneo in Philippians 1 and 2 should be sufficient to show that the word refers to much more than mere agreement regarding doctrinal statements. Phroneo describes an attitude marked by humility, intentionality, and emotionally rich feeling; not intellectual assent to the exact same doctrines.
2. What does "one in spirit and purpose" mean?
Answer: This is -- in essence -- synonymous with Paul's command that we "stand firm in one spirit" (Philippians 1:28). All the Christians in our town should unite in their firm resistance to evil; they should deliberately and intentionally see themselves as members of one another, united in Christ.
3. What does "striving for the faith of the gospel" mean?
Answer: The word translated "striving together" is the word sunathleo. Sun = with; athleo = to contend. You can see that we get our word "athlete" from this word. To strive together, then, means to contend as a team. Our opponents are not other congregations in town, but rather those spiritual forces that resist the spread of the gospel. All the Christians in our town should affirm and demonstrate through periodic gatherings and outreach efforts that we are all on the same team.