Bible Verse Of The Month
Philippians 2:1-5 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort form his love, if any fellowship with the spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Many people, even Chrisitans, live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves. but "selfish ambition or vain conceit" brings discord. Paul therefore, stressed spiritual unity, asking the Philippians to love one another and to be one in spirit and purpose. When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our problems, we demonstrate Christ's example of putting others first and we experience unity. Don't be so concerned about making a good impression on meeting your own needs that you strain relationships in God's family.
Selfish ambition can ruin a church, but genuine humility can build it. Being humble involves having a true perspective about ourselves (See Romans 12:3). It does not mean that we should put ourselves down. Before God, we are sinners, saved only by God's kingdom. We are to lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy. considering others' interests as more important than our own links us with Christ, who was the true example of humility.
Philippi was a cosmopolitan city. The composition of the church reflected great diversity, with people from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life. Acts 16 gives us some indication of the diverse makeup of this church. The church included Lydia, a Jewish convert from Asia and a wealthy businesswoman (Acts 16:14); the slave girl (Acts 16:16-17); probably a native Greek; and the jailer serving this colony of the empire; probably a Roman (Acts 16:25-36). with so many different backgrounds among the members, unity must have been difficult to maintain. Although there is no evidence of division in the church, it's unity had to be safeguarded (3:2, 4:2). Paul encourages us to guard against any selfishness, prejudice, or jealousy that might lead to dissention. showing genuine interest in others is a positive step toward in maintaining unity among believers.
Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. Like christ, we should have a servant's attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Remember, you can choose your attitude. You can approach life expecting to be served; or you can look for opportunity to serve others. See Mark 10:45 for more on Christ's attitude of servanthood.
God's Page Email: God's Word