Paul gives us four important words in Philippians 2:1. They are encouragement, comfort, fellowship (common sharing) in the Spirit and tenderness and compassion, which I am treating as one.

Philippians 2:1 “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,”

The use of the word “if” could and perhaps should be read as “since.” It is not a question of whether we have these things in our lives. They are present when we become a Christ follower. The only question is what difference will they make in our life?

Encouragement. Too often instead of being encouraged by the life Christ led while on the earth we become discouraged. Our attitudes are that Christ has really set the bar high for us and we will never be able to “measure up.” Part of the source for this is that we forget while He was on the earth, Christ lived fully as man.

He did not step in and out of being God. It wasn’t like he was God when He healed someone, like a man when He was tired or hungry. He came fully as a man. Paul establishes this for us in verses 5-11 of Philippians 2.

Luke gives us insight as to how He did this. Acts 10:38 “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”

We should be encouraged by this. The same Holy Spirit that was with Jesus is with us. He has not changed. He is as powerful as He was when Jesus was walking the earth.

Take note of these three verses and be encouraged.

Hebrews 4:14-15—God understands our struggles

Ephesians 3:20—God will do more than we can imagine!

1 John 4:4–God, in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world!

2 Kings 6:15-17—There are more with you than against you!

Psalm 118:6—The Lord is with you!

Be encouraged!

Always in Pursuit!

Don