Philippians 2:3-5 – “Do nothing from selfishness or vain conceit but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…” (NASB)
From the very beginning, with the Adamic covenant, God wanted to extend his covenant family saying ‘be fruitful and multiply.’ When mankind’s thoughts and intentions are continually wicked, God starts over with a new family through Noah and his descendants and says ‘be fruitful and multiply.’ When the people rebel against God once again as represented by the Tower of Babel, God begins again with Abraham. Once again His word is ‘be fruitful and multiply.’ We read in Genesis 18:19: “I have singled him (Abraham) out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”
When we come to the New Covenant, we understand that Abraham’s seed (singular), through whom all the nations would be blessed, is Jesus. God now comes into a family covenant with those who come to Jesus and once again we see through Jesus ‘be fruitful’ (John 15).
God wants us to be in fellowship with Jesus so that Jesus’ life, His love, and His character can shine through us bearing the fruit that brings glory to God. This is what brings multiplication. When we overflow with Jesus, because we’re in continual fellowship with Him, our children and those around us are drawn to the way of Christ. God’s kingdom is multiplied. This is what Jesus meant when He said we would receive power to be His witnesses. Through His Spirit, we reflect His image to others.
Philippians 2 reminds us that the barrier to being fruitful and multiplying the kingdom is selfish ambitions and vanity. We are to put on the mind and attitude of Christ, who by the power of the same Holy Spirit we have, lived for one purpose: to bring glory to His Father in heaven.
Heavenly Father, my Lord Jesus Christ, help me to recognize where selfishness and vanity is getting in the way of being fruitful for you. I want to be your vessel, imaging you to others, that your kingdom will multiply through me. Help me to put on the mind and attitude of Christ today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.