«　WEEK 7　DAY 6　»

　　Phil. 1:5 For your fellowship unto the furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now.

　　27 Only, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether coming and seeing you or being absent, I may hear of the things concerning you, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving together along with the faith of the gospel.

　　The first two chapters of Philippians are related to the Spirit of Jesus, and the last two are related to the Spirit of Christ. Chapters 1 and 2 are related not to resurrection but to Jesus. Chapters 3 and 4 are related to resurrection....In the first chapter of Philippians we have the preaching of the gospel. To preach the gospel we need the Spirit of Jesus. The Spirit of Jesus is clearly portrayed in the first two chapters. The Spirit of Jesus does not strive, and it has no rivalry or enmity. (CWWL, 1978, vol. 1, "The Experience of Christ," pp. 332-333)

　　When Jesus the Nazarene was on earth, He did not have any envy, strife, or rivalry. These three negative things are mentioned in Philippians 1. In this chapter there are also some positive things, such as the fellowship and the matter of being in one spirit and one soul. How can we have one spirit and one soul? This is not possible by our spirit, for our spirit is a spirit of envy. When we see others taking the lead, we are envious. Then we begin to strive in the spirit of rivalry. Although our spirit is like this, the Spirit of Jesus is not. Consider the life of Jesus as presented in the Gospels. His life was a life without envy, strife, or rivalry. To be one in spirit and in soul is possible only in the Spirit of Jesus.

　　To be one soul mainly means to be one mind. The reason Christians cannot be one soul is that each desires to be first and that no one is willing to be last. But it is possible for us to be one soul by the Spirit of Jesus. If we say, "I want to be in the Spirit of Jesus," we will immediately have the experience of Christ and be one spirit and one soul with others. Then we will strive together for the gospel. The word together in Philippians 1:27 means that we are coordinated and that we are not individualistic but corporate. When we are all in the Spirit of Jesus and are in one soul, we will strive together.

　　Although the first chapter of Philippians is rather long, it may be outlined quite simply. This chapter is concerned with the fellowship unto the gospel by the Spirit of Jesus without envy, strife, or rivalry. It is in this way that we experience Christ. It is not simply a matter of clearing the past, consecrating ourselves, or caring for the inner anointing. That is not the way from the Body to the Head. In order to reach the Head, we need the fellowship unto the gospel by the Spirit of Jesus without envy, strife, or rivalry. In our gospel-preaching life there should be no envy, strife, or rivalry, not even with the opposers. Instead, we should simply preach the gospel by the Spirit of Jesus. But as long as there is the slightest bit of rivalry, we cannot be in the Spirit of Jesus. Moreover, if we are not in the Spirit of Jesus, we are not in the fellowship unto the gospel, and we are through with the experience of Christ. To experience Christ we need the fellowship unto the gospel by the Spirit of Jesus without envy, strife, or rivalry.

　　Many Christian teachers have encouraged others to imitate the pattern revealed in Philippians 2, but it is impossible for us to imitate Christ. For example, we can never be like a lamb. In order to be like a lamb, we need to have the life of a lamb. Likewise, it is impossible for us to imitate the Lord Jesus. The standard of His humility is too high for us. Hallelujah, the Spirit of Jesus is in us! By the Spirit of Jesus we can be just as humble as He was. By the Spirit of Jesus we can fulfill the request of the apostle Paul and care for all the other saints. By the Spirit of Jesus we can drop all our opinions and be one in spirit and in soul. By the Spirit of Jesus we all can think the one thing and have the same love. (CWWL, 1978, vol. 1, "The Experience of Christ," pp. 333, 351)

　　Further Reading: CWWL, 1978, vol. 1, "The Experience of Christ," chs. 2, 4