Cross Training - Doctrines of Faith and Jesus Christ

In Philippians 2:1-11, Paul writes to a good church about a potential bad problem, one that feeds off of and devours entire communities and relationships.  It smells like the breath of a man that just one a hot dog eating contest.  This problem has both an evil side and a good side.  One side destroys while the other has the potential to build up and encourage.  The problem is pride. 



Paul wrote the Philippian church to take heed the example of Jesus Christ when it comes to the opponent of pride - humility.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV)


John Boykin said this concerning pride - "Reading God's hand into circumstances can be an evasion of genuine commitment to being His person in them.  It can be an insidious alternative to giving Him your heart -- because it keeps your attention directed outward rather than inward, where His chisel bites... We have elevated coincidence to the status of miracle, and the interpretation of coincidence to gospel.  We can routinely ask God to intervene in our circumstances while hoping He'll keep His nose out of inner things like our spiritual indifference and pride."

 I like what Paul wrote at the beginning of Philippians 2, because I believe what he gave was medicine, necessary medicine to counteract the side-effects of pride.
1 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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)
Here Paul introduces the four medicinal "if's" to counteract the viral affects of pride in any individuals life - Encouragement -- Comfort -- Fellowship -- Tenderness and/or Compassion. Here is what I find so amazing about the reason he shared these "if's."  Think carefully now.  How hard is it to be prideful when you are attempting to be encouraging, or comforting, hospitable or compassionate.  I think Paul wanted the church to understand that the remedy for prideful actions are actions that favor our neighbor.

But let's not think for a moment that reversing our pride is as simple as visiting a long-lost friend or taking cookies to an enemy.  NO, NO!!  It's more then that, because stripping pride away with encouragement or compassion, fellowship or comfort will require surgery if our pride has been left to fester for too long.  What I mean is, reversing the effects of our pride will demand that the four "if's" be implemented in a way that is brutal and life-altering, not just simple and superficial. 

Good luck!