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“Christ Offers New Discipleship Importing Truth Inside Our Nature! (C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N)!”

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” (Philippians 2:1-2)

Approach Question:
What do you have with Christ?

Observations:
I asked myself what words/phrases of repetition are found?
1. If (4 times)
2. Any (4 times)
3. Being (4 times implied)
4. You (4 times implied)

I have learned through the years studying Scripture that repetition signifies important concepts and principles. So, I wanted to look deeply into these words/phrases and what they are added on to.

I asked myself what the repetitions point to?
I saw  if-then and cause-effect principles in these verses based on the words of repetition. 
1. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
2. If you have any comfort from His love,
3. If you have any fellowship with the Spirit,
4. If you have any tenderness and compassion,
Then make my joy complete by being like minded!

Interpretation/Application:
I asked myself what does it mean to be ‘united with Christ’?
What came to my mind is believers being united as a community. I found it interesting that the ‘you’ in this passage seems to refer to the Philippians as a community rather than individually. I also realized if I am to be united with Christ, I need to do my part and other believers their part. Then when all the parts are put together there will be a whole signifying unity as opposed to separation.  

It is significant that unity in Christ brings encouragement rather than discouragement.

I asked myself what ‘His love’ means?
What came to my mind is Jesus’ agape love for me. It is a love that is so unconditional that I am loved as I am. There is nothing I can do to earn His love but He loves me in my sin and has come to restore me. He died on the cross and sacrificed His life for me and came back to life to save me as I yielded to Him and received His love. This love is for everyone receiving Jesus.  Yesterday, Pastor Josh spoke about 'agape' love when he shared about 4 kinds of love.

It is significant that knowing ‘His love’ is what gives true comfort rather than distress!

I asked myself what is ‘with the Spirit’?
What came to my mind is the Holy Spirit. What was really exciting to know is that I can be with the Spirit. The Spirit is available to those who ask of the Spirit to make His presence known in their lives. This way I will not be alone in my walk but I will be with the Spirit.

It is significant that ‘being with the Spirit’ is what gives true fellowship in our lives rather than loneliness. Yesterday, Elder Calvin, shared about how the 'Holy Spirit' testifies in our lives as we yield to Him!

I asked myself what is ‘tenderness and compassion’?
What came to my mind is a state of being of the heart that is soft and not hard towards people which is also reflected in having empathy towards others to the point that we want to help them. Yesterday night, Pastor Mike shared with me the importance of having that 'tenderness and compassion' especially with those we do not see eye-eye when it comes to parents, husband-wife, kids, others, etc.

INTERPRETATION:
I asked myself the significance of the 'IF statements?'
I found it interesting that Paul is reminding the Philippians that actions speak louder than words. It is as if he is saying, ‘IF you say you have all these things’ then ‘you should be revealing the virtues that follow 'THEN’ in these verses in your lives.

I asked myself what does it mean to be like-minded?
What came to my mind is having the mind of Christ that everything I do or say should be reflective of Christ. It is as if I am to be a replica of Jesus’ mind as I live here on earth. But that is only possible IF the 4 criteria I learned about are being met.

What came to my mind were 3 ways that show us to be like-minded:
1. Having the same love.
2. Being one in spirit.
3. Being one in purpose.

Having the same love reminded me of ‘His love’. I am to imitate the love of Christ in my surroundings when I am around people. Also, as a community of believers we are to imitate His love around people.

Being one in spirit reminded me of ‘With the Spirit’. I am to live with the Spirit as I live my life and not apart from the Spirit. In this way, as I walk in the Spirit, I will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

I believe it goes deeper as the ‘one’ can also imply all the believers being one that the world may know Jesus is Lord. As believers in the Lord, I believe united we stand and divided we fall. Sadly, the world does not see us as being one in the Spirit because we are all so fractured holding on to traditional and denominational beliefs rather than the core beliefs/doctrines and affirmations of Scripture. This starts to cause division among believers and Christ is not glorified. Yesterday, Elder Calvin and Pastor Josh made us see the role we have to play in the world and the role the world plays in our lives as we looked deeper into John 15.

Jesus had problem with the tradition of the Pharisees because they were holding on more to tradition than the Word of God and its implications for our lives.

In the essentials there can be no compromise but in the non-essentials there should be room for compromise but sadly it is here that denominations are built.

I asked myself how could we be one in the Spirit with all these denominational differences when Jesus wanted to do away with them based on John 17?
What came to my mind is ‘Being one in purpose’. Regardless of what our denominational beliefs are, it is exciting to know that we can be one in purpose if that purpose is to be like-minded as Christ and letting our lives reflect that as a community.

IMPLICATIONS:
I asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
The purpose of today's study is being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose which will only be fulfilled in CHRIST ALONE BY HIS GRACE as we depend on Him to help us. Pastor Mike reminded me of that last night about the importance of prayer in our daily sanctification.

The IF-Then conditions in my life are determined by what I allow to control me.

Do I allow discouragement to take place of encouragement so division in Christ is seen over being united with Christ?

Do I allow the hatred of Satan to engulf me and become restless and uncomfortable around others who boil me on the inside instead of basking in the comfort of the Lord's love which should be imparted to those around me including my enemies?

Do I allow myself to be associated with the spirit of bitterness, division, unforgiveness, hatred instead of having fellowship with the Spirit?

Do I allow harshness and cruelty to control me because of a particular circumstance instead of tenderness and compassion?

What I allow will determine the condition I am in. If I allowed the negativity to control me, then my life will be filled with sorrow and a feeling of emptiness instead of the joy of the Lord completed in me. When I allow negativity to control me, there will be division in my life without being like-minded having the mind of Christ. When I allow negativity to control me, having the same love of Christ, being one in Spirit, and one in purpose cannot be lived out.

We can only do everything mentioned in Philippians 2:1-2 if we take God's Word to heart and apply it in God's grace through Christ Jesus our Lord!

Elder Calvin at CBT shared the importance of having the Advocate, who is the Spirit of Truth and our Comforter to guide us and lead us so we can testify to what it means to be a true Christian.

Pastor Josh at sermon shared about making sure love rules over hatred even when we are hated by the world. I was reminded of God's Word which says, 'If you cannot love the brother/sister in Christ in front of you, how can you say you love God, whom you have not seen'

Pastor Mike took time to share with me last night the importance of prayer, prayer, prayer, trust, trust, trust, love, love, love, forgiveness, forgiveness, forgiveness, for our own sanctification as we depend on Jesus.

I realized “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” (Philippians 2:1-2) can only happen when my condition is turned to the Lord Jesus and allow Him to sanctify me daily.

I ask you now dear friends, what C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?
Dear friend, I do not know what condition you are in but your condition determines whether you can have 'encouragement being united with Christ, comfort from His love, fellowship with the Spirit, and tenderness and compassion' in your life which in turn can help you be like-minded as Christ as you realize your own worthlessness and turn your life over to the One who can make you worthy.  You know what, none of us are worthy and yet God in His love for us 'while we were yet sinners sent Jesus Christ to die for us to redeem us.'

When we are like-minded in Christ, we can have the same love, being one in Spirit, and one in purpose. Thank you Jesus!

If anyone thinks he is worthy to receive the grace of the Lord Jesus, then that person has been lost right there. There is no one who is worthy to receive the Lord Jesus Christ if it were not for the grace of the Lord Jesus. If anyone thinks he is, he has let pride sweep over him already revealing the condition of the heart. Of all sins, pride is the greatest sin from which everything else comes from.

It is pride that began the fall of Lucifer and the fall of man. Lucifer, through his pride wanted to become equal or greater to God and fell with 1/3 of the angels. That just shows there will always be someone to follow evil and good. Because Lucifer fell, he wanted to take as many with him and still wants to take God's creation into Hell's pit deceiving, lying, and conniving. You and I will not escape Satan as long as we think we are worthy of anything. We are not worthy of anything and need Jesus. During CBT time, Elder Calvin reminded us of Romans 1 & Romans 3.

We have let sin take over our lives and only the touch of the Master's Hand can help us overcome this sin. When the Lord touches our heart, He will take away our sin by His precious cleansing blood, giving us new life. Yes friend, He will.

With Jesus, we are so worthy in God's eyes and through Jesus Christ, He justifies us and sanctifies us by His power which Pastor Mike reminded me.

"He [Jesus] will give anything because He loves us more than anything. It is His free gift we share to a world that needs it. His love is always with us. His love is so great and so strong. (This is a also a children's song)

Yes friend, Jesus loves us so much. Even now when I have gone my own way and done my own thing, it is His grace that has saved me and redeemed me to live for Him. He can help you too friend. Thank you so much Jesus!

No matter what the condition of our heart, the Lord can take our heart of stone and give us a heart of love where we know we are loved by Him and therefore are able to love others.

For the Word of the Lord says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called His dear children” (1 John 3:1, TLB)

That is exciting to know. If you feel your condition made you realize your worthlessness and wretchedness before an all awesome God, then you are on the pathway to Eternal Life. You have great reason to rejoice because your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life when you turn to the Savior for your redemption. Thank you Jesus!

If you feel your condition is ok, you have great reason to have sorrow for the day of judgment will come when you are not expecting it.

"For it is appointed to man to die once, then the judgment!"

Friend, I don't want that for you! You should not want that too! Now is the time of Salvation. You can receive the Lord’s salvation in your own life. Yes, you can! Jesus waits to welcome you as you are and as you yield your life to Him, He will work in you and through you. Yes, He will! I know He will for He has done that in my life. I am no different from you. I am a sinner just like you saved by grace and now seen as a saint in the Lord’s eyes. Remember from chapter 1, that Paul addressed the believers as saints. That can happen for you too! Come as you are to the throne of God above!

Then, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.” will become a reality in your life as you are part of a community of believers seeking deeper faith in Christ, stronger community in Christ, and greater impact as my church: Oakland International Fellowship emphasizes.

"Christ Offers New Discipleship Importing Truth Inside Our Nature!" (C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N)/"What C.O.N.D.I.T.I.O.N are you in?"

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to focus on you Oh Lord and allow you to guide us and lead us so we are controlled by the Spirit of the Living God. This way our life will reflect your calling for us and we will shine like beacons of light in a dark world. We need you to have encouragement and to be united in Christ, we need you to be comforted by your love in the circumstances we face, we need you to have fellowship with the Spirit displaying tenderness and compassion. Help us please that the world may know we are like-minded in you, having the same love, being one with the Spirit testifying of your love, and being of one purpose. Please help us for only you can sanctify us. You can reach us in our utter weaknesses when we give in to the circumstances. Please help us Jesus. Thank you so much Jesus! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Please pray this prayer to receive the Lord Jesus into your life or to rededicate your life to the Lord.

PRAYER:
Dear Jesus, I heard that you became my sacrificial Lamb of God to save me from my sins. Thank you for shedding your blood for me and coming back to life to save me. I turn to you now. At this moment Lord, I confess to you all my sins and am so sorry for them Lord. I repent of my sins and ask you to help me overcome them for I cannot on my own strength. Cleanse me with your cleansing blood and I will be clean again. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow. Come into my heart Jesus. Please make my heart your home. I believe only you can justify me by your grace. Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and I will serve you the rest of the days of my life as you begin your sanctification by your grace in my life. Thank you Jesus for coming into my heart! Thank you Jesus for making my heart your home and living in me! I acknowledge you as my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you that you have heard my prayer and that you have answered me. Thank you for being part of my life now and giving me a new beginning. Thank you for my Salvation. Thank you no matter how I am feeling inside, you have saved me. I love you Jesus and want to live for you. Help me to find fellowship with other believers and most of all to have daily fellowship walking with you through your Word and talking to you. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

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