The Freedom In "IF"

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Phil 2: 1-2

If... 
This is interesting. This appeal to unity takes such a fundamental element of christian life - encouragement we draw from being with Christ - and makes it conditional. -With a tiny "if" in front.

The Bible doesn't say "Since you find daily encuragement and comfort in Christ...", it says if. This part is taken from Paul's letter to a Church, to believers.
Is it possible to believe in Christ and not get encouragement from the relationship with him?
If unity with Jesus doesn't encourage and comfort me, why do I read the Bible?
Why do I seek God?
Why do I go to church?

What I love even more in this small passage, is how God doesn't assume anything. He gives us room to do things our way, hoping we would choose His way.
There is no instructions for those who are not encouraged by Christ. 
He speaks to the ones who "get it".

It makes me think of when Jesus says that his sheep know his voice and follow him (Jn 10: 4, 27). I'm not always one of the smart sheep. Too often I go chasing "more exciting voices" and "the grass that looks greener". The result is usually disappointment and embarrassement, but Jesus knows exactly what to do when a sheep goes missing. 

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

Lk 15:4

As soon as I give a small signal I am ready to be found (which also means admitting I am lost), Jesus leaves the sheep, the cows, chickens, horses, fields and a running tractor, he activates heavenly reinforcements and sattelites to locate me, and then gets into the rain, not afraid of getting muddy and messy, he brings me home for a party and makes me the homecoming queen. 

And then He says: "If you get any encouragement out of this.... ... ... ... if this attitude that I have towards you gives you comfort... ... ... if you can understand this spirit and you are capable of having compassion on others... ... ... ... then live for unity with the others. That would make me happy beyond words."

We can make our Lord's joy complete. Not only Paul's.

• What do you genuinely draw from the fact that you are friends with Jesus?
• Do you see Jesus as someone who can be hurt and joyful over your responses to him?
• If He was physically present in your life, how would He feel in your friendship so far?
• Do you give your brothers and sisters as much room to get to God, like God is giving to you?