Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of LOVE, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies.
Ah my Friends, this is a critical passage of scripture dealing with the particular attributes Bruh Paul desired to see in the church at Philippi, but it’s also a general framework for the building of all churches. It’s a continuation of his exhortation to steadfastness in Chap.1:27-29, where he tells them that there conduct should be worthy of the gospel of Christ, and whether he was present with them or not, that he’d hear ‘that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.’ And not be afraid of their enemies, who consider the gospel certain proof of destruction, ‘but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’ So people, just like Bruh Paul wanted the Philippians to stand fast in unity and strive to be worthy, so too should we today. It’s the basis of any successful group or organization, from families to nations. If you’re not united and working together in the same general direction then sooner or later the body will fail. Examples abound all around us. In Today’s Bit, the scholars claim that the word ‘if,’ which appears four times in the verse, specifies fact, not doubt. It can therefore be translated as ‘since.’ Consequently, we can then say that Bruh Paul was not questioning, but certifying, asserting that there is ‘consolation in Christ;’ that’s encouragement, inspiration, heartening. There’s also ‘comfort of LOVE;’ which spells relief, solace, reawakening, refreshing of one’s spirit through His genuine care and concern for us. And for sure there’s ‘fellowship of the Spirit;’ participating in the life of the Holy Spirit. If it dwells within you, then you must have a relationship with it, hopefully by sharing in Jesus’ ministry, values, gifts and the numerous things the Spirit generates. As for ‘bowels and mercies;’ affection and sympathy? Hn! My fellow believers there’s oodles of that. That’s the very foundation of Christ’s church and ministry; LOVE and Mercy! It seems though that Bruh Paul was fairly, but not completely happy with the Philippians church, because of some discord amongst them, which meant full togetherness was lacking. So to try and rectify that situation, he pleaded: ‘Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same LOVE, being of one accord, of one mind.’ (vs.2) His joy would be complete if they lived in real harmony; showing the same LOVE and impartiality to all believers, united in spirit, the whole church having the same values and goals. As he said to the Romans; ‘Be of the same mind one to another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. be not wise in your own conceits. (Rom.12: 16) Yes Friends, we should all strive to be in agreement, live in harmony, not set our sights on wealth and power, associate with the humble, but definitely not in a condescending manner, and don’t take too much notice of ourselves. ‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.’ (vs.3) He said the same thing to the Galatians. ‘Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal.5:26) We should not do things through selfish ambition and conceit, and regard fellow believers as more important than ourselves. ‘Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.’ (vs.4) We must be just as interested and concerned with the requirements and difficulties of others as ourselves. In other words, be our brother’s keeper. ‘Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.’ (vs.) Yes Friends, we’re to constantly maintain this mind set, cause it was the same humble, serving attitude that Jesus had, and if we maintain it, then our chances of becoming like Him, will be greatly improved. Like everything else people, practice makes perfect. It’s simply Christianity 101 my brethren; the Christian virtues. And we’ll end with a synopsis: ‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, forgiving one another…even as Christ forgave you. And above all these things put on charity, (LOVE) which is the bond of perfectness. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts…and be ye thankful…And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ (Col.3:12-17) Yes my people, that’s basic Christianity. And since we consider ourselves Christians, let’s all try our best to live that way nuh. Much LOVE!…to be a true Christian…means constantly practicing true Christianity…
Ah my Friends, this is a critical passage of scripture dealing with the particular attributes Bruh Paul desired to see in the church at Philippi, but it’s also a general framework for the building of all churches. It’s a continuation of his exhortation to steadfastness in Chap.1:27-29, where he tells them that there conduct should be worthy of the gospel of Christ, and whether he was present with them or not, that he’d hear ‘that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.’ And not be afraid of their enemies, who consider the gospel certain proof of destruction, ‘but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.’ So people, just like Bruh Paul wanted the Philippians to stand fast in unity and strive to be worthy, so too should we today. It’s the basis of any successful group or organization, from families to nations. If you’re not united and working together in the same general direction then sooner or later the body will fail. Examples abound all around us. In Today’s Bit, the scholars claim that the word ‘if,’ which appears four times in the verse, specifies fact, not doubt. It can therefore be translated as ‘since.’ Consequently, we can then say that Bruh Paul was not questioning, but certifying, asserting that there is ‘consolation in Christ;’ that’s encouragement, inspiration, heartening. There’s also ‘comfort of LOVE;’ which spells relief, solace, reawakening, refreshing of one’s spirit through His genuine care and concern for us. And for sure there’s ‘fellowship of the Spirit;’ participating in the life of the Holy Spirit. If it dwells within you, then you must have a relationship with it, hopefully by sharing in Jesus’ ministry, values, gifts and the numerous things the Spirit generates. As for ‘bowels and mercies;’ affection and sympathy? Hn! My fellow believers there’s oodles of that. That’s the very foundation of Christ’s church and ministry; LOVE and Mercy! It seems though that Bruh Paul was fairly, but not completely happy with the Philippians church, because of some discord amongst them, which meant full togetherness was lacking. So to try and rectify that situation, he pleaded: ‘Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same LOVE, being of one accord, of one mind.’ (vs.2) His joy would be complete if they lived in real harmony; showing the same LOVE and impartiality to all believers, united in spirit, the whole church having the same values and goals. As he said to the Romans; ‘Be of the same mind one to another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. be not wise in your own conceits. (Rom.12: 16) Yes Friends, we should all strive to be in agreement, live in harmony, not set our sights on wealth and power, associate with the humble, but definitely not in a condescending manner, and don’t take too much notice of ourselves. ‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.’ (vs.3) He said the same thing to the Galatians. ‘Let us not be desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.’ (Gal.5:26) We should not do things through selfish ambition and conceit, and regard fellow believers as more important than ourselves. ‘Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.’ (vs.4) We must be just as interested and concerned with the requirements and difficulties of others as ourselves. In other words, be our brother’s keeper. ‘Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.’ (vs.) Yes Friends, we’re to constantly maintain this mind set, cause it was the same humble, serving attitude that Jesus had, and if we maintain it, then our chances of becoming like Him, will be greatly improved. Like everything else people, practice makes perfect. It’s simply Christianity 101 my brethren; the Christian virtues. And we’ll end with a synopsis: ‘Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, forgiving one another…even as Christ forgave you. And above all these things put on charity, (LOVE) which is the bond of perfectness. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts…and be ye thankful…And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ (Col.3:12-17) Yes my people, that’s basic Christianity. And since we consider ourselves Christians, let’s all try our best to live that way nuh. Much LOVE!…to be a true Christian…means constantly practicing true Christianity…
SCRIP-BITS 