Tuesday, January 28, 2025
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. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4
Read Philippians 2:1-11. How does Paul say that we are to treat each other in the church? Who is the standard we are to follow? How will you do that this week?
Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from his Roman house arrest as he waited for his court appearance before Caesar. He and Timothy had ministered at Philippi during his second missionary journey and this letter was sent expressing his appreciation and love for the believers in the Philippian church. He also packed this letter with a lot of good information and advice for the Philippians.
Chapter two begins with Paul giving them some solid tips on unification in the body of Christ. He begins by encouraging them to be united in their affection for Christ and each other, as well as united in spirit and purpose. How can we do that? Only one way - Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. vs 3-4
When we do not put aside our own selfish ambition, we cannot be unified as one body with one vision and one purpose – which is Jesus’ plan for the church. We are unified through him and in him with his vision and his purpose to do his work – spread the Gospel. Paul tells us we should not look to our own interests, but to the interests of others – even if we don’t have the same interests or agree with what their interests are. It can be very hard for us to do this. Churches have split and families have been broken because of selfish ambitions. Our selfishness will create disunity. When we look to only have our own needs and desires met, we will create disunity. We are to turn our focus outward towards others. Only when we are humble, gentle, patient, and loving towards each other can we be unified in our work for God.
Further on down in chapter 2 Paul tells us that following Jesus’ example is the way we do this:
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow — in heaven and on earth and under the earth — and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
Jesus was God, but he came to earth as man and was a servant to all. The King of Kings did not consider himself better than a woman caught in adultery, the woman at the well, a blind beggar, a lame man, a leper, a tax collector, and so many others. He showed us how to serve humbly with his whole life.
Jesus set the example for us of how we should love and treat others when he was on earth and in the very way he loves and treats us. He gave himself for us on the cross, a horrible and painful death, to save us. In the great exchange he took our sin and imperfection and made us white as snow. He gave us righteousness in exchange for guilt and shame. How can we not love others because of the way he has loved us – and loves us still? He pours his love into us, and we are to pour it out to all those around us. He died for all – our brothers and sisters in Christ – the same as he did for us. It is his standard of love, kindness, unselfishness, and graciousness that we are to extend to others as his followers.
How will you do that this week?
