1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
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Vs. 1 - “Therefore” - He is saying to them, “Based on what I have just told you...” Go back to chapter 1:25-28. There five things on which the ‘encouragement’ is founded:
- They are progressing in their faith and joy
- Paul knows they can be proud of that progress,
- Conducting themselves in a manner worthy of Christ,
- They are standing firm,
- They are not intimidated by opposition.
“If there is” - A big “If-Then” statement follows. A similar ‘if-then’ is in the letter to the Galatians. The ‘if’ portion is also seen in Gal. 1:1, and is followed with the ‘then’ portion in Gal. 2:2.
Any of these four following items being true in their lives means they will bring joy to Paul:
Encouragement in Christ - Jesus promised He was preparing a place for us in heaven. (John 14:1-4) Jesus also appeared to the disciples, reassuring them of the resurrection and giving them the Great Commission. (Matt. 28:16-20, Mark 16:14-20, Luke 44-53) Believe in Him and you will be saved!
Consolation in love - We are to demonstrate Christ living in us by our love for one another. (John 13:34, 35; 14:21, 23; 15:9, 10, 12, 17)
Fellowship in the Spirit - We have a common bond that draws us closer together - the Holy Spirit - given to every Christian (i.e., believer in the Lord Jesus Christ). (See: Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Cor. 13:13; 1 John 1:3, 7).
Affection and compassion - Paul tells us in Col. 3:12 to be compassionate with each other.
Vs. 2 - “Make my joy complete” - Paul will be overjoyed they are demonstrating growth and solidarity in Christ. They can build their fellowship because of the encouragement, love, and compassion with following characteristics.
Being of same mind - This is not “Stepford Wives” type of same mind. We are not mind-numbed robots, little holy automatons. (See: Rom. 12:16, 15:5; 1 Cor. 10:10)
The one mind is: us focused solely on Jesus Christ and what He has done for us, “so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 15:6)
Maintaining same love - Loving each under in Christ. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” John 13:34. I think there are few commands laid down for us as Christians. We are given lots of guidelines and directions. The most important commands:
Love Jesus.
Love each other.
The worship song from the 70’s says “They will know we are Christians by our love”.
United in spirit - Recognizing we are joined in the Holy Spirit. “What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ... If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:3, 6-7)
“Intent on one purpose“ - the world would see Christ living in us. To live a life worthy of Him. (Col. 1:10)
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