“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?”
Philippians 2:1 NLT
While studying for messages in our series, Inside Out, Paul’s love for and message to the church in Philippi is remarkable.
Love, humility and unity are important ingredients in developing healthy relationships. Philippians 2:1 gives us the foundation for our relationships to be sturdy and less sticky. Paul affirms the church family in question form, knowing they belong to Jesus, are filled with His love, have fellowship with His Spirit, and are tenderhearted and compassionate people!
And because we belong to Jesus, are filled with His love, and are in fellowship with His Spirit, we can export tenderhearted compassion.
WE CAN’T EXPORT WHAT HASN’T BEEN IMPORTED… RIGHT!?
For a computer file, picture, or video to be exported, it must be imported or created.
In other words, we can export and live out tenderhearted compassion in our relationships, because of Jesus, His love, and the Spirit being imported into our hearts.
Verse 2 reveals more ingredients for turning sticky relationships into more sturdy ones! “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
Jesus’ love and working together with one mind and purpose will strengthen our relationships, grow and make them sturdy. And as you already know, working together takes commitment, hard work, forgiveness, and humility. Lord help us turn any sticky relationships into more sturdy ones, for Your honor and purposes!
