Paul loved the Christians at Philippi.  But there were divisions among the people, and because of that they had lost their joy.  So Paul addressed this problem, among others, when he wrote them.  His deep desire was that they should live together in love, with a oneness which he described in verse two by such terms as “like-minded,” and “of one accord.” 

    Then he began to lay out the pattern for living together in love.  They were to avoid two attitudes - strife (self-will) and vainglory (self-conceit.)  Both of these attitudes cancel out love in the Christian’s heart.

    Self-will (strife) is a root cause of many of the problems in our churches and in our homes.  It is an attitude of wanting to be in control, not only in my own life, but also in the lives of others.  When self-will rules my heart, I want my own way, and I want other people to give in to my will.  I may be right or I may be wrong in the thing I want, but I am dead-wrong when I insist that others must do things my way. 

    I have seen this attitude of self-will at work again and again in churches where I have served.  One person insists on his/her way.  Someone else objects.  And the power struggle begins.  It may taint the life of the church for years, simmering under the surface.  It may erupt and cause an actual separation, producing two churches,  born not out of a concern for others (missions), but out of a concern for self (self-will).  I am amazed when God  uses such churches to reach people for Christ.  I wonder what He could do if we lived together in love?

    Self-conceit (vainglory) compounds the problem.  It happens when others give in to my demands, and/or when people choose to line up with me against “the enemy,”  i.e. anyone who opposes my will.  I begin to get an inflated sense of my own importance and power.  Self-conceit is nothing more than pride.  And God hates pride.

    Simple humility (lowliness of mind) is the opposite attitude.  It is the Jesus way, which is described in verses 5-8.  There is no passage in Scripture which more graphically describes the depth to which Jesus went when He died on the cross.  He was in the form of God, with all the glory and privilege that goes with that,  but He let go and went down, down, down...until He died on the Cross.  Self interest has no place here.  No self-will, no self-conceit, just self-giving.

    God honors such an attitude.  “Wherefore God hath highly exalted him...” (vs.9).  God is pleased when we lay self aside, as Jesus did, and give ourselves for others.  That is why 2:4 says,  “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (NKJV).  We are part of a family, a family of faith.  Jesus is our Elder Brother, who has shown us the way of simple humility.  We can follow His example, not insisting on our own way, but thinking of how we can help others.  We can act in the common good, instead of out of self-interest.  We can live together in love.

    And when we do, God will be pleased, and we will be blessed.