If, If, If, If

A church in Rome. 

Scripture

Phil. 2:1    If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy

Observation

The opening to chapter two is one big long sentence where the very first section begins with four “Ifs.” These are all based upon what Paul knows is available to the believer. He’s laying them all out before he gets to the “then” part of the sentence.  

The “ifs” are a check-up on the Philippians to see whether they have been following the instructions sent to them by Paul. 

If there is any encouragement in Christ.  — do we doubt that we are encouraged when we are “in” Christ? Over and over again this is participation language. We are to be “in” Christ and there we discover the character of God, which encourages. Paul, ever the optimist, looks on the bright side of things as he lives into the encouragement he finds in Christ. 

If there is any consolation from love.  — We are constantly consoled by the love of God. The lavish outpouring of God’s love calms and comforts us in our moments of deepest need. 

If there is any sharing in the Spirit. — This is, again, the participation language. We are invited to “share” or to “fellowship” in the Spirit. It is the invitation to become partakers of the divine nature through the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

If there is any compassion and sympathy — the overflow of this relationship with Christ is compassion and sympathy for those within our sphere. The participation with God is lived out in compassion and sympathy. 

Application

When we examine these “ifs” we discover that there is a progression in relationship with God. It all begins with our participation in Christ. This “encouragement” could be viewed as prevenient grace. God’s grace reaching out and encouraging us to begin our journey in participation through Jesus Christ. 

As a result of coming to Christ and entering his doorway to a relationship we discover God’s holy love. This generous outpouring of love consoles us. Just last evening I had the blessed privilege of holding my almost 5-month old grandson until he fell asleep. He’s been having trouble dropping off to sleep lately and can cry, almost unconsolably. However, if you hold him tight and gently rock him, he settles down, consoled by the presence of someone who loves him. What a beautiful reminder of the love of God that holds us close when we don’t really know what we need and consoles us until we are able to peacefully rest in God’s presence. 

Continuing to grow and develop we share in the Spirit. This is the place where we find our spiritual growth taking off. By the empowerment of the Holy Spirit the synergistic action between God and the individual begins to take place. The “koinonia,” or fellowship of this relationship is an invitation to new heights, or as Paul would say, a transformation from “glory to glory.” The Christian life is one of on-going transformation into the image of Jesus Christ, and this, empowered by the Holy Spirit. There is power for Christian living!

The overflow of this relationship with Jesus Christ is compassion and sympathy. We are supposed to be different people as a result of being “in” Christ. The Philippians were radically different from the people in the Roman colony where they lived because they had become counter-cultural “in” Christ. That’s the call to us as well as our lives reflect Jesus and the overflow is compassion and sympathy toward those we encounter. 

Sadly, compassion and sympathy is not always the case for “holiness” people who have a tendency to be judgmental. This is a real challenge as we consider our own spiritual growth and development, for there must be “real” transformation into the image and likeness of Christ, inside and out. 

The “ifs” will lead us to the thens…which are not some kind of a magical reaction from God, but an affirmation of the power of God unleashed in the life of one who is willing to be all “in.” The pathway is laid out before us, “if” we take the right turns, “then” we will reach our destination. It’s like a roadmap for the follower of Jesus Christ who is encouraged to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit on the journey. Just like your GPS has to do some rerouting when you miss your “ifs” driving, Paul is determining the status and location of the Philippians — and all of us. Have we been making the right turns? If so, then we will see what comes next. 

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the check-up today. Amen.