Memory – Philippians 2.3-4 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourself. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others
The context to this week’s memory verse is a key to an underlining theme permeating the Pauline corpus; namely, how is Christ formed in you (e.g. Galatians 4.19). Notice the emphasis that Paul puts on Christians having the same attitude or mind among themselves. That is to say, the mind or disposition that comes from being rooted in Christ (Colossians 2.6). The apostle John’s record of the upper room discourse does not focus on the Passover meal but on his act of servanthood in washing his disciples feet. When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (John 13.12-16).
How does Paul’s greeting in this letter capture the essence of his calling as an apostle? I suppose it is a rhetorical question. He says plainly that he is a servant of King Jesus. What does King Jesus require of those who serve him? In his own words he says: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13.34-35). What does this service look like? When Jesus is speaking about the final judgment and the separation of those who truly love and serve him from those who don't he says: … I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Of course, the faithful servants did not understand and Jesus explains: … “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me (Matthew 25.31-40).
In the latter half of Paul’s letter to the church at Rome he describes how Christians ought to put into practice their faith in Christ. He begins with this exhortation: I give each of you this warning: don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us (Romans 12.3 NLT). Paul’s play on words stresses the importance of thinking properly about oneself. The need for a humble self-assessment is accompanied by a healthy respect for the giftedness of others. The heart is naturally inclined toward self-deception; it easily thinks more of itself than it ought. Thus, Paul’s warning may not be aimed at particular individuals but is a general note of caution for all to be mindful of the pride of self-sufficiency. Being conscious of one’s dependency on the Spirit for all things ought to produce heartfelt humility and gratitude. There are a multitude of things that are indispensable to life in the Christian community and no one person has everything that is needful. So there is no place for the pride of self-sufficiency.
Just before Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem, the brothers, James and John approached him about potential positions of authority; that is, they were posturing for positions of leadership in his kingdom. Namely, one could be seated on his right hand and the other on his left. The other ten got wind of what the brothers were planning behind their backs and became indignant. Jesus called them all together and said: You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10.42-45).
An additional comment on unity is worth noting from Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Ephesians 4.1-7). It would be difficult to overstress the importance the New Testament places on Christian unity for those who ought to be like-minded. Paul’s admonition to consider others more important than oneself (Philippians 2.3) is in keeping with Jesus’ instruction to the disciples to love one another (John 13.34-35). In practice this means that Christians belong to each other: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4.25 [emphasis mine]).
How does Paul’s greeting in this letter capture the essence of his calling as an apostle? I suppose it is a rhetorical question. He says plainly that he is a servant of King Jesus. What does King Jesus require of those who serve him? In his own words he says: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13.34-35). What does this service look like? When Jesus is speaking about the final judgment and the separation of those who truly love and serve him from those who don't he says: … I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Of course, the faithful servants did not understand and Jesus explains: … “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me (Matthew 25.31-40).
In the latter half of Paul’s letter to the church at Rome he describes how Christians ought to put into practice their faith in Christ. He begins with this exhortation: I give each of you this warning: don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us (Romans 12.3 NLT). Paul’s play on words stresses the importance of thinking properly about oneself. The need for a humble self-assessment is accompanied by a healthy respect for the giftedness of others. The heart is naturally inclined toward self-deception; it easily thinks more of itself than it ought. Thus, Paul’s warning may not be aimed at particular individuals but is a general note of caution for all to be mindful of the pride of self-sufficiency. Being conscious of one’s dependency on the Spirit for all things ought to produce heartfelt humility and gratitude. There are a multitude of things that are indispensable to life in the Christian community and no one person has everything that is needful. So there is no place for the pride of self-sufficiency.
Just before Jesus’ final entry into Jerusalem, the brothers, James and John approached him about potential positions of authority; that is, they were posturing for positions of leadership in his kingdom. Namely, one could be seated on his right hand and the other on his left. The other ten got wind of what the brothers were planning behind their backs and became indignant. Jesus called them all together and said: You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10.42-45).
An additional comment on unity is worth noting from Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians: I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift (Ephesians 4.1-7). It would be difficult to overstress the importance the New Testament places on Christian unity for those who ought to be like-minded. Paul’s admonition to consider others more important than oneself (Philippians 2.3) is in keeping with Jesus’ instruction to the disciples to love one another (John 13.34-35). In practice this means that Christians belong to each other: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another (Ephesians 4.25 [emphasis mine]).
RSS Feed