For it has been granted to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are engaged in the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I have.

If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Philippians 1:29 -2:2 CSB

As we continue to look at Paul's letter from lockdown, what is Paul pleading for here? 

In suffering and struggle there is often a pulling apart, an inward looking, selfishness that springs up.

I'm in L3 so that's good. 

Good for me.

And I forget about those in L4. That's their problem. 

And that selfishness spreads like a virus into nations and people groups so that we can allow and justify the suffering that occurs around the globe. 

And the seeds of it are in my heart. 

The virus that says "they" are different, that it's "their" problem.

Paul gives no room for "them".

There is just us. 

Paul is writing this oneness message to people who aren't living as one. 

He'd write the same thing today. To my selfish heart.

If Paul had access to the word whanau I think he'd use it. 

There's just us whanau.

#inthistogether

#thereisjustuswhanau