“…make my joy complete…”
(Phil 2:2)

Do you know how to spell joy? “J-O-Y” right?

J --Jesus
O --Others
Y --Yourself

Today, as we begin chapter two, we will see how Paul spelled joy. He clearly understood that life did not revolve around his needs or his pleasure. If we spend our energy seeking personal gain and happiness, we will never know joy. Joy is not about my circumstances; and really, joy is not even about “me.”

In chapter one of Philippians we discovered that Paul had a single mind. Even in jail, Paul had a single-minded focus—to live for Jesus:

“for me to live is Christ…” (Phil 1:21)

In chapter two we will discover that Paul had a servant mindset. He knew how to put the needs of others ahead of his desires for comfort and convenience.

The world system tells us to watch out for ole’ “Number One!” “It’s all about ME and MY desires!” But, that’s not what the Scripture teaches. Joy is a result of putting Christ first and others second.

The chapter begins with the word “Therefore.” Paul connects what he is about to say to the challenge for unity in chapter one. Because we are citizens of another Kingdom and we live for the progress of the Gospel, we stand together and we strive together.

Since we are on the same team, we know how to serve each other; we know how to help each other; we know how to care for each other.

This kind of focus can not be manufactured in our flesh. A servant’s heart is not a natural thing—it is super-natural. A servant mind-set is the result of God’s Spirit turning your eyes off of yourself and opening your eyes to the working of His Kingdom.