Vs. 1 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ”
Lord Jesus, what a “redemptive set up”—Paul knows the transforming power that comes from a fresh heart-grasp of what is already ours through our union with you. To start with, we are fully known and deeply loved—forgiven, justified, and adopted by Abba, Father. Staying experientially alive to these 3 grace-realities would change everything… but there’s so much more.
“if any comfort from his love”
How does your love comfort us? It comforts us by its quality, depth, and constancy. Nobody loves us like you do, Jesus… period. It’s not based on anything in us. You comfort us in our grief, fears, and waiting.
“if any fellowship with the Spirit, tenderness, and compassion”
Jesus, thank you for making good on your promise to send the Holy Spirit into our hearts. He sealed us for eternity, and now lives inside us to make your beauty more real and our “sonship” our most defining reality. He also assures us that, one Day, we will be as tender and compassionate as you. Lord, hasten that Day.
Vs. 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Jesus, you redeemed us to be public conduits, not private containers, of your incomparable love. Your mercy, grace, and love are dynamic, not static—always coming to us that they might flow through us.
Vs. 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.”
Apart from the riches of grace and the power of your resurrection, this way of life is laughable—even impossible. But, Jesus, listening to your Word, pondering our union with you, and taking seriously your heart for your church … this is what a revival would look like, right? Loving others as you love us—your incarnate life made beautiful and believable in our churches, in our marriages, cities, and world. Jesus, may it be. So Very Amen.