THE GOSPEL OF JOY IN ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES - PHILIPPIANS - FELLOWSHIP, AFFECTION, AND COMPASSION

TEXT: Philippians 2:1-4 (CSB) – “If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 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.”

Now, we are in 2^nd chapter – we find Paul discussing the pattern for living.  As we study this, we see that this pattern involves fellowship. Fellowship is one of the keys to spiritual growth. It happens when Christians communicate their love to one another – and the whole group becomes a cohesive whole.

We looked yesterday at two of the Virtues that are in Christ that we should use toward one another, Encouragement and Consolation. Today we will finish with the last three that he instructs about – Fellowship, Affection, and Compassion. Let us start with the “Fellowship of the Spirit.”

The Greek word that Paul uses is one we may hear around the church from time to time – Koinonia –  it carries the meaning of communion, or sharing in common. In Paul’s usage, this is partaking of the life of the Spirit, sharing in His gifts, values, and ministry.

“Because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”  Romans 5:5

The basis of our fellowship, our unity, our living in harmony as Christians is the Holy Spirit. We are to stand alongside of one another, we are to comfort one another, and we do this by the fellowship, the sharing in common brought about by God’s Spirit living in us. Paul talks about this in his letter to the Romans, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”  (Romans 12:15)

We will combine the last two – Affection and Compassion. In the KJV this is written as bowels and mercy. To our Western mind, we may take offense at the use of the word bowels. However, in Paul’s time we would find this very fitting.

The Greek word that is translated bowels is – Splanchnon – which means the internal organs, or intestines. And thus, symbolically was considered the seat of emotions and feelings – much as we view the heart. In many ways this is still reflected in some of our sayings – ever heard “I have butterflies in my stomach?” So Paul was saying that we need to fellowship with our affection, our emotions toward one another.

This ties very closely with the last virtue – Compassion. As I already stated in the KJV this was translated “mercy.” The Greek word Paul used was – Oiktirmos – carrying the meaning of pity, compassion, sympathy. Mercy in the Scripture basically carries the idea of not getting what we deserve. Yet, it is much deeper than that. It means receiving pity, compassion, and tenderness through affection. Paul wants to connect the dots and understand that “since there is tenderness and compassion” coming to us from God, we should show this to others.

As we face tribulation and problems, we are to share with each other what God is doing in our lives. Now, more than ever possibly, we need to become unified – we are Christ’s body. We need to see the church as a hospital – where we can come bleeding, beaten, and broken – and we are bandaged, comforted and restored. And, we in turn give to others what we want and have received from Christ. As Christians, we should stand alongside each other, encourage each other – and through the love bestowed by God’s grace – comfort each other.

Today, get alone for a time with God and ask Him to show you where you are in having these virtues of Christ in your life. Pray and seek to add these to your life.