Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy.  (2) fulfill my joy by being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  (3) let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.  (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.  (5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

The letter to the Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul.  Paul was under house arrest in Rome and was writing to the church in Philippi to let them know his status and to encourage them to maintain harmonious relationships within the church and with each other.  Alienation in the Church at Philippi seems to be something new in that Christian community and Paul is appealing for harmony and unity.

Paul is asking the Philippians to think about their experience in the love of Christ.  Union with Christ, rebirth in faith, gave comfort to believers.  They experienced comfort from trials by a common bond in Christ with others.  Such comfort results in harmony in the spirit and the Philippians should take great encouragement from that.  Relational conflicts can be so discouraging.  Jesus is all sufficient and gives us hope – motivates us to please Him.  There is a consolation of love in Christ.  My love doesn’t depend on the other person’s response, it depends on the love of Christ for me – Christ is the Good Shepherd.

Paul is urging the Philippians to have a fellowship of Spirit – to develop affection and compassion with Christ as their example. They/we are to love others and need a mind set that works at seeking unity – to seek to know the mind of Christ through prayer and in the Word.  The mind of Christ, the love of Christ, is united in the Spirit which is united on the faith of the gospel glorifying Christ.  In this way God gives us a solid base for resolving conflict.

The world’s way is that of pride and self fulfillment:  worldly ways are empty conceits, vain glories, self interest as the chief end of man.  Self esteem is about pride and opposed to harmonious relationships.

So we should not boast  All we have and are is by Gods grace.  All we have is a gift to be used for Gods glory.