This second chapter of Paul's letter tot he church in Philippi is rich in theology and very valuable for practical application. It begins with more encouragement for the church in dangerous and trying times, "If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4 NRSV. These would be good words to live by today!
Verses 6 through 11 seem to be a first century hymn or poem. They communicate a deep theology about the humility and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. he was in the very nature God, yet did not exploit that position but humbled himself. Humility is misunderstood and misappropriated by most people in our world. Self hate and false humility surround us, and it makes real humility hard to spot and because there are so few practicing humility, there are not many people to follow or emulate. I am convinced that humility is NOT thinking less of ones self, but thinking about ones self less. There are days, still, when I am (in my own mind) the center of all things. When I climb off that throne, or get knocked off, humility begins to be possible.
"Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world." Philippians 2:14-15 NRSV. This call by Paul should be preached in every church! I do not feel it is a pressing need right now in the New Creations Mission to preach from here right now, but I have used these words as a text many, many times. What a beautiful thing to see the church working and playing together without murmuring or arguing. We can accomplish so much together when we approach our tasks in gentle humility!
I am touched by the intimacy of Paul's words when he speaks of Timothy and Epaphroditus. I know a but about the fatherly love he expresses here and the pride he feels for the young people that follow him as he follows Christ.
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3 comments:
"work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." I like that verse...
Me too.
An unexamined life is not worth living, and an unexamined faith is not worth having.
Bill
Do nothing for selfish ambition...look to the interests of others not your own. Wow, how those words could totally change the world, eh? It seems so easy to put ourselves second, but we sure don't seem good at it. At the end of the day, it's me me me, right? Lord help me put myself second; to be humble! It's not so easy all the time!
I've used those verses (14-15) in Young Life many times, when we're trying to explain to new believers how they should be trying to live in Christ: Don't complain when you're doing things, just be nicer in general. It will show. Just acting a little better, in a Christ -like manner, will make you stand out and shine in this crazy world. It really helps the kids to understand more the root of sin in this world, and how Christians really are different. Help us all to really live in the way that he speaks here - so we do give Jesus a presence in the world that people can see.
It's interesting to think about how they heard so much from Paul, but he was far away, and he was sending others in his place to check on them. Our transportation is so different now. However, he seemed so close to them as he wrote, and that's wonderful that he could find that connection in Christ despite the distance.
Happy Thursday.
Marsh
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