One Thing Leads to Another

Featured photo courtesy of Aaron Carley.

Here’s a link to last week’s installment of the series, “One Thing Leads to Another”.

The believer’s pathway is rugged, much like the pathway in the featured photo.

But God’s grasp is sure.

The believer’s goal-

“…intent on one purpose.” Philippians 2:2

“Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,” Philippians 2:5

I have often heard people say things like, “There is no guidebook for life. We just do the best we can.” Well, if that is a believer’s point of view, something is wrong.

What would your response be? Maybe you would say, “The Bible is our guidebook, and the Holy Spirit is our Teacher, Guide and Friend.”

That would be a great answer. That is the answer.

Today’s study shows how attributes of the Christian life are interconnected: one deed, one step, one thing leads to another.

Today we are looking at Philippians, Paul’s short letter written to the believers in the Church at Philippi. Let’s see what he told them and verify that we are walking in this godly way.

 If then, there is any encouragement in Christ,

if any consolation of love, 

if any fellowship with the Spirit, 

if any affection and mercy, 

Philippians 2:1

Think about each of those character qualities and how they fit together. If you were to have all but one of those attributes what would your Christianity look like? Would it look fake?

How can you be an encourager without having Christ-like love for even the most difficult person? You would exclude certain members of the body of Christ. You would not fellowship with them. This is sin.

If you follow the third attribute on the list, you will achieve all the others, though you will falter. This attribute signifies your communion with the Holy Spirit, who helps us follow these steps.

Giving affection and mercy require humility on your part as a believer.

Sometimes there are broken Christians walking among us. They hold hurt that the world can’t see. It affects their behavior. Even if they try to overcome it, they struggle.

This brings me to my sister, Patti. She is amazing!

Anytime I see her deal with difficult believers, she shows so much mercy. She understands their adversity and fear. How can she possibly know? Because Patti has suffered hurt and loss like all of us have.

Patti may not know someone’s specific pain, but she understands how God has loved her, renewed her spirit, and strengthened her life.

She knows God loves the broken and binds their wounds. As a believer, Patti finds her purpose is to love them, too, without judging or closing the door on their hope for freedom.

Believers like Patti know that showing mercy does not mean we should offer false reassurance. Rather, true mercy requires loving honesty so that hurting Christians can face hard truths and be restored.

Other times, mercy without words is more fitting. Helpful believers let the Spirit guide their responses.

Every useful vessel has been broken and reshaped in the Master’s hands.

I want to be like Patti because she is like Jesus, and I want to be like Him more than anything.

Paul adds to the list. Read the passage below.

make my joy complete by

thinking the same way, 

having the same love, 

united in spirit,

intent on one purpose. 

Philippians 2:2 (CSB)

Do you see the oneness in these attributes? Believers walking in step with God are joyful, attracting other joyful believers. Think back on Jesus’ prayer for all believers in John chapter 17. The theme of His desire is that all of us are one with Himself and the Father!

Even in sorrow, believers should radiate God’s goodness—not fleeting happiness, but pure joy in Christ.

Take a look.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4 (CSB)

True Christ followers face choices every day. Put self-first and sin against God.

Or humble yourself under His mighty hand and He will lift you up. (James 4:10).

When we disobey, we have made the choice to willfully rebel against God.

Having the help of the Spirit and God’s Word are all the tools we need to make Godly choices. Live to bring honor to God instead of diving into sin, guilt and regret.

Let me encourage you today. Keep following Jesus. Read His Word. Share the Gospel. Pray faithfully. And fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.