Through life we always find role models for us to emulate or impersonate. Whether they be rock stars, baseball players, or movie stars we always seem to gravitate to someone. Who is that someone for you?

As Christians (believers in Christ), our desire and focus should be to have Him as our role model. We should stop looking for any other person to look up to. Christ is our greatest example of what we should be.

1st Peter 2:21, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:...”

Through the book of Philippians, Paul takes time to use the traits of Christ to teach the church how be unified. These traits should be embraced by anyone who proclaims to be a Christian because, once again, Christ is our example. If the Philippians would take these traits that point back to Christ and apply them then they would be successful in being unified. The same is true with us today.

Philippians 2:1-4, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

First, we find Paul referring to the trait of consolation. Consolation means to encourage, comfort, or strengthen. Notice, once again ,that this trait used to educate the believers points them back to who Christ is. We have to encourage the church/the believers. If we take time to think, what is it that the believers need to be encouraged from? Medical issues, bills, job, family, and spouse just to name a few. We can't forget that the people that we serve the Lord with can be also be hurting. We have to take time or better yet make time to console those around us.

Second, we find Paul directing the people to love. We as believers have been instructed to love our enemies (Luke 6:27, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,…”). This love (Philippians 2:1) is unconditional. A love that keeps loving no matter what, even when people don’t deserve it. A love that has been reflected by Christ and He demonstrated it toward us.

Luke 7:47, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”

We learn in this verse that if we are able to forgive little then that really means we love little. However, if we forgive much then we love much. A true love is one that is willing to look past all of the short comings and faults of a person and love them no matter what.

Third, we need to fellowship. As believers we are never called to be by ourselves. We should be on one accord. We find through the Bible that where two or more are gathered He would be in the midst. We find that we should not forsake the assembling of the believers (Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.") . We are not to be isolationists but rather fellowshipping with one another.

Fourth, we should be compassionate toward one another. Compassion (bowels of mercy) is what Christ demonstrates to us. Once again we find that these traits that Paul is telling the church that they should have, are the same that we find through Christ. Has Christ ever shown compassion to you? The answer is yes. If you are still breathing, which obviously you are because you are reading this, then He has demonstrated compassion. If you have food to eat then He has shown His compassion. This compassion is what we are expected to duplicate.

Fifth, is having the joy of the Lord. True joy comes by knowing the Lord God Almighty. Joy is knowing that God’s word is true and right. When we focus on the joy of the Lord then we will stop looking at the issues and problems of others. So many times we find ourselves nitpicking others when in reality we should be looking towards the Lord. Who cares what problems people have? Let your focus be on something that will never change, the joy of the Lord.

Sixth, we find Christ displaying humility. Being humble is when you put yourself below others.

Philippians 2:7, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:…”

Christ humbled himself to the point that He, Himself, God, became flesh. Christ humbled Himself to become man. The problem in the world we live in is that we are not encouraged to humble ourselves (most people). But we must be willing to follow the example that Christ gave us.

And finally, seventh, controlling self interest. We have to control one of the hardest things ever, ourselves. We find ourselves in a world that, so many times, feeds into self interests and self concerns. We put self first and other things second. We need to stop worrying what style of clothes we want to wear, what type of car we want, and how much money we can make (just to name a few things that redirect our attention). Our interests should be the things of kingdom value such as praying for the salvation of others, praying for our spouses and children, and being used by the mighty hand of the Lord (just to name a few).

In conclusion, we have to remember that the Lord is our example. He is the one that we can look to. The Lord has not nor will He ever ask you to do anything that He too wouldn’t do. That being said, we have to look at the traits Paul instructed the Philippians to do. These traits are not things that make life easier. These traits are not “feel good” traits. They aren’t even empty ideas from man. These are the traits of Christ and that’s why if we follow them we will never fail. These traits are who Christ is and they should be who we are.