ECWA Food for The Day For Spiritual Nourishment

THURSDAY, 14 DECEMBER 2023

 

TEXT: Philippians 2:1-11

 

1: Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

 

2: then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

 

3: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

 

4: not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

 

5: In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

 

6: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

 

7: rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

 

8: And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

 

9: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

 

10: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 

11: and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

(New International Version Holy Bible)

 

TOPIC: THE NEED FOR UNITY

 

The Philippians received commendation for their partnership with Paul. But the church had a problem of unity that appeared to be focused on two influential mission - minded women, Euodia and Syntyche, who were believed to have their own cliques of loyalists.

 

The first part of Philippians 2:1-11 emphasizes the need for unity in the body of Christ which comes about through imitating Christ's humility.

 

Paul exhorts the church to have the same love, being one in spirit and mind. He adds that they should not allow their selfish ambitions, vain conceits and interests fracture unity and love in Christ.

 

It is important to note that unhealthy relationships between two influential personalities can trickle down to members of the church.

 

QUESTION: Are you an instrument of unity or disunity in the church?

 

PRAYER: I want to be like Jesus in my life, dear Lord, please help me. Amen.

 

Remain Blessed

ECWA Food For The Day, 2023.