Two of the greatest gifts Christians can give to God are the gifts of selflessness and unity. Paul told the Philippians that nothing would bring Him more joy to have them be a church filled with selfless and unified folks. He had the Philippians to look deep within themselves to find the selfless nature within. In that, he called them to look to gain the same purpose. Be of one mind. Act selflessly and consider others interests more important than their own. Sadly, none of those traits come naturally. Paul knew that the church would need to look at Christ and his nature to discover the need to be selfless.
In our culture, it is the same. Like the church in Philippi, we are surrounded by a culture that screams individuality. It tells us to look out for old number 1. It breeds conflict and drives churches apart. That is why the call to unity is as critical today as it was in Paul’s day. The world would love to see the end of the church and its antiquated ways. The world hates to see selflessness. It loathes unity. Those things are boring and tend to bring folks together and make them stronger. Both strength and unity allow the Church to grow and to give hope in an otherwise hopeless life. Paul knew it then and we know now that the three great gifts from God are faith, hope, and love. If the church becomes selfless and unified, those gifts will flourish. If unity is absent, those gifts wither and die. We must, therefore, follow Paul’s lead and seek to live united and selfless lives.
God Bless You
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.
Walking With God 