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Sabbath School Lesson

Unity Through Humility

In Philippians 2, Paul reminds us that anyone who takes the banner of being a Christian doesn't go through life alone. He is not a lone ranger. He is part of something bigger. He is part of a family. Hence, the need to take into consideration the feelings and the welfare of other members of that family, too.

11 min study

Memory Text: “Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2, NKJV).

Introduction

Ever since the fall, humanity’s character is far from that of humility. We seek things that please us and place us at some sort of advantage over others. As a result of selfishness, we look after our own interests rather than those of others. Hence, unity and humility are interlinked. One can achieve unity if he has humility—the willingness to put others’ welfare above his own.

In this study, we will learn why unity in the church is important and how we can achieve it by the grace of God.

Read on!

The Why of Unity

Philippians 2:1-2 NKJV Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, [2] fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

So, for Paul, unity must be pursued if a person has a relationship with Jesus and has been filled by the Holy Spirit. Unity is not an option for a Christian. It is a necessity.

Notice the reasons for unity. They’re all rooted and centered in Jesus:

  1. Consolation
  2. Comfort of Love
  3. Fellowship of the Spirit
  4. Affection and Mercy

So once an individual accepts Jesus, he now becomes part of a family. Not that his individuality is lost, but his individuality is now part of a bigger story, for he is now part of the family of God. He no longer walks life alone. He no longer faces the battle of life alone. He has the entire family with him. This entails walking in perfect harmony with other members to retain that unity.

The How of Unity

But we live in a sinful world. We see that families are being torn apart, church members are quarreling against each other, and friendships being broken because of one common denominator—self. Paul instructed us:

Philippians 2:3-4 NKJV Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. [4] Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

The Greek word for “selfish ambition” is eritheia. This word was used in extra-biblical sources to describe politicians who pursued office through underhanded tactics (Aristotle, Politics 5.3).

This word is used in the Bible to describe those who cause division for personal gain. In Philippians 1:17, Paul mentions preachers who proclaim Christ “out of selfish ambition” rather than out of love and giving back glory to Him. In James 3:16, James warns that “where selfish ambition exists, there is disorder and every evil practice.”

Paul is saying in Philippians 2 that unity is impossible if people are after position instead of service behind such positions. Eritheia is the attitude of a person who treats the church as a stage to perform instead of a platform to serve.

The Greek word for “conceit” is kenodoxia. It literally means “empty glory”—seeking praise or status that has no real substance. It’s empty, in other words.

Outside the Bible, this word was used to describe arrogance and thinking too highly of oneself. The Apostolic Father Polycarp urged believers to stay far from “all kenodoxia,” linking it to a lack of spiritual discipline (Polycarp, To the Philippians 2:1; 4:3). The Shepherd of Hermas lists it among vices that “destroy the life of man” (Shepherd of Hermas, Mandate 8:5).

This word appears only here in the New Testament, but the concept is common even nowadays. It describes the person who thinks more highly of themselves than they ought.

Paul is saying in Philippians 2 that unity is impossible when people are deluded by their own importance. If eritheia is the action of scheming for position, kenodoxia is the delusion that makes a person think they deserve that position.

The Who (Model) of Humility

Selfishness is the very opposite of the character of Jesus. He came here on earth to bless others instead of receiving blessing from them. He loved men despite all the hatred that was showered upon Him. He was the epitome of humility that would eventually result in unity.

Philippians 2:5-7 NKJV Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, [7] but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

There are two great mysteries in the Bible: the mystery of godliness (see 1 Tim. 3:16) and the mystery of iniquity (2 Thess. 2:7). Both find their greatest manifestation in a person—Jesus and Satan. Both are called mysteries because we cannot truly fathom what they are. We cannot fully exhaust the love of God, nor can we truly understand the nature of sin. But we can see how each principle moves.

Let’s first notice how the mystery of iniquity moves in the life of Satan and how it will finally end up.

Isaiah 14:12-14 NKJV “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations! [13] For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’

Lucifer wants to ascend. He wants to go higher and higher and higher still. He wants to go up. But instead of reaching up at the top, notice how he ends up (no pun intended):

Isaiah 14:15 NKJV Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, To the lowest depths of the Pit.

Lucifer or Satan will eventually be brought down. In contrast, the mystery of godliness goes like this:

Philippians 2:5-8 NKJV Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, [6] who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, [7] but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Wait, what?! Yes, fascinating isn’t it? Beautiful isn’t it? He who was at the top went down! And notice what happens next:

Philippians 2:9-11 NKJV Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, [11] and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As a result of going down, of humbling Himself for us, He goes up and has every right to be at the top, to be the ruler of the Universe. This shows that God’s authority is rooted in His humility.

These concepts are worth pondering. Are you aiming to be at the top? Or are you willing to serve even in the lowest of places like Jesus?

Remember Christ’s words:

Matthew 23:12 NKJV And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Ultimately, these two mysteries find their greatest revelation at the Cross. Ellen White remarked:

“At the cross of Calvary, love and selfishness stood face to face. Here was their crowning manifestation.” — Ellen White, Desire of Ages pg. 57

No wonder we must fix our eyes upon Jesus.

“Praise to God and the Lamb will be in our hearts and on our lips; for pride and self-worship cannot flourish in the soul that keeps fresh in memory the scenes of Calvary.” — Ellen White, Desire of Ages pg. 661

If all our eyes are fixed on the Cross and all of us walk toward it—not focusing on each other’s flaws and areas of growth—isn’t unity the inevitable result? Isn’t it true that we will all stand and bow in adoration at the foot of the Cross—together? It all starts when we shift our focus to Christ.

Conclusion

In Philippians 2, Paul reminds us that anyone who takes the banner of being a Christian doesn’t go through life alone. He is not a lone ranger. He is part of something bigger. He is part of a family. Hence, the need to take into consideration the feelings and the welfare of other members of that family, too. It is the love of Jesus that binds us together and why we ought to pursue that unity at all costs.

Jesus is our Great Model on how we live, not for ourselves but for the interests of others. As a result of Christ’s humility even to the point of death on the Cross, soon and very soon, all heaven will be reunited in perfect harmony, singing in perfect harmony praises to God.

Discussion Questions

  1. Think of a time when you prioritized your own interests over someone else’s. What happened? How could humility have changed the outcome?
  2. Why is it easier to focus on other people’s flaws instead of looking at the Cross? What practical steps can we take to shift our focus back to Jesus?
  3. In what area of your life right now is God calling you to “go down” and serve instead of seeking recognition?