This passage speaks of oneness in service.
 
In Philippians 2:1-4, we see that Paul wished for the Philippian Church to have a oneness of mind and spirit, in their service. There should be an absence of friction and disunity in service.
.
Paul begins by pointing them to the gracious working of God in their lives.
He does this in stating 4 conditions in Philippians 2:1 (NASV):
If there is any encouragement in Christ,
if any consolation of love,
if any fellowship of the Spirit,
if any affection and compassion
 
The ‘ifs’ in each condition do not convey uncertainty. The hearers are to recognize that each ‘if’ is introducing a condition that is true in their lives.
 
On the basis of these great blessings of God in their lives, Paul makes a request to the Philippian Christians.
In Philippians 2:2 (NASV), he says:
make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
We notice that he doesn’t command or instruct them on this matter. He makes a personal appeal to them.
This doesn’t mean that it is not a rightful instruction. It is indeed a right instruction and something so important. He wanted to add to his instruction the force of his persuasion.
 
So, Paul, incarcerated in prison, yet ironically finding joy in his circumstances, makes his appeal to the Philippians. The question is, should they then resist his appeal by clinging on to their pride.
 
What the Lord has done for us is true in our lives.
How then are we to conduct our service? We should probably display that bountiful grace that puts us where we are today in exercising grace in our service.
We should, with much grace, seek to serve with one mind and one spirit within the church.
 
We see 4 items making up Paul’s appeal:
that you may mind the same thing
having the same love,
be united in souls
minding the one thing.
 
However, the second item, ‘having the same love’, and the fourth item, ‘minding the one thing’, are actually adverbs. So, they function to tell us more about the items they modify.
 
that you may mind the same thing
 
having the same love
(adverb)
Paul’s probable intention is to say:
That you may mind the same thing in having the same love.
(Having the same love is the means as to how we may mind the same thing)
 
 
 
be united in souls
 
minding the one thing
(adverb)
Paul’s probable intention is to say:
Be united in souls, minding the one thing.
(Minding the one thing is the mode or way by which they display that they are united in souls.)
 
We can then notice that the key factor to oneness lies in having the same love. This is because having the same love leads us to mind the same thing. Then when we mind one thing, we exercise ourselves to be united in spirit, minding the one thing.
Let us then look at the first combined idea:
That You May Mind the Same Thing in Having the Same Love
 
There are two aspects we can consider in the matter of ‘having the same love’.
The most obvious and definite is ‘the love for Christ’. As each one avail himself or herself for service in the love for Christ, there is a natural union of the group in Christ. Each one is moved to do what Christ wants.
The other aspect of love is that for one another. It is not only giving of love but also a willingness to receive love. This leads to mutual sympathy with each other’s efforts to do what Christ wants.
Having this same love then brings about what Paul says, ‘That you may mind the same thing’. Their hearts draw them together to mind the same thing in what they are doing for Christ.
 
We now move on to consider the next combined exhortation of Paul.
Be United in Souls, Minding the One Thing
As the group or the wider church exercise the same love, they are drawn together over what they would do. Although each one may have a different role in the one thing, the whole group adopts the one thing as theirs.
 
 
Paul gives the Philippians the two combined exhortations that would bring them to this happy end. However, he then brings up what would obstruct them in serving in oneness.
In Philippians 2:3, he says:
Nothing from selfishness or empty conceit   
This ‘nothing from selfishness or empty conceit’ relates back to what he just said. They should be united in souls, minding one thing. In their oneness in service, there should be nothing that comes out of selfishness or empty conceit.
Our problem probably lies in how much of our service is actually determined by our love for Christ and for one another. Self is always ready to intrude and influence how we serve. ‘Self’ manifests itself in:
I want to look good. The love for Christ is no more the preeminent motive for service. This might affect the desire to mind the same thing.
Then in our interaction with the others, the old traits control us rather than the grace of Christ to love one another.
For example, we may want to boast of our abilities and downplay that of others.
Or we may mock what we see as the shortcoming of the other instead of allowing the person to learn over the course of time.
Love for each other as fellow believers is manifested less. There is a loss in mutual sympathy for each other’s efforts.
Let us keep asking the Lord to help us to do all things out of love for Him and for one another.
 
In the second part of Philippians 2: 3, Paul says:
But with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves
We may see the term ‘more important’ as a matter of the other person being more ‘capable’ or ‘occupying a more important position’.
However, we should probably allow verse 4 to explain what ‘more important’ means.
Verse 4 would give the idea of ‘more important’ as a matter of caring for the interests of one another. It is not a matter of neglecting our own interests. It is a matter of sacrifice and taking time and effort to support what the other person needs. If necessary, perhaps we may set aside our interests and come back to it later. This is alright for us as the group has one thing in mind. Besides, the service is to Christ, so the success of the other leads to the glory of Christ.
 
So as we consider Paul’s words in Philippians 2: 1 – 4, let us humbly ask Christ to maintain our love for Him and for one another. Let us seek grace from Him so that we may serve within the church in oneness that comes from our love for Him and one another.
 
What is our rallying call? It is our love for Jesus and for one another. These move us to serve with the same mind and unity of soul that we may accomplish the work He has for us.