In our last study we saw Paul exhorting the Philippian
church to walk as citizens of heaven—to live their lives in a way that reflects
Christ and His gospel. We come now to
his explanation of what that walk should look like in chapter 2. How are we supposed to walk? What sort of life reflects the faith of the
gospel? What does a citizen of heaven
look like?
Are You Christians Also Encouragers?
Philippians 2:1
Paul is asking the Philippians whether their lives as
Christians demonstrate encouragement, love, and spiritual connection to one
another, as well as empathy and caring.
In 1:9 he already told them that he longed for them that their love
would increasingly abound in knowledge and insight concerning what is
best. He connected this seemingly very
subjective activity (loving) with a very objective result (discerning what is
best). This, then, is a love that is
informed and looks to the best interests of others. And now he is asking, “Has having Christ’s eternal
life made any difference in your concern for others?” Since this is not an automatic result of
having eternal life, this is not a rhetorical question. We begin to get a glimpse now of what “walking
worthy” and “living as citizens of heaven” means.
Every one of these diagnostic questions in verse 1 is
designed to look at their connection to other people. As human beings we automatically try to
encourage ourselves and do positive self-talk.
We don’t have to be taught to love ourselves. We talk to ourselves all the time. We are born doting on ourselves. It’s natural.
But Paul is talking here about how we relate to others. We don’t connect
to one another automatically. It
requires knowledge and insight into what is “best.” The gospel is not just for me. It is for the whole world. God doesn’t just love me. He “so loved the world.” So, Paul’s question here might sound
ironic. But it should make us stop and
think. “Hey. Are you Christians also encouragers?” “Do you really care about each other?”
Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Philippians 2:2
One of the most trying things for a parent is seeing your
children not getting along with each other. Paul was thrilled that the
Philippians had become believers and had also enthusiastically helped him financially. But apparently one thing made Paul’s heart
continue to ache for his children in the faith.
They had an attitude problem and did not get along with each other as
citizens of heaven and brothers and sisters in Christ should do.
Paul’s joy over their reception of the gospel was somewhat choked
by their divisive attitudes. They were
concerned for the lost world “out there” but their own local brothers and
sisters – not so much. There’s an old
poem by an unknown author that says, “To dwell above with saints we love—oh
that will be glory! But to dwell below
with saints we know—well that’s another story!”
This is the same problem they had in Corinth. Why do so many Christians struggle with that?
Paul connects four issues here: attitude, love, harmony, and
purpose. They all concern living with
other people. They had been redeemed as
individuals and they delighted in it.
But they also needed to know that they are part of a redeemed team
of people that has one overarching purpose.
They needed to work together and care about one another “right here” just
as they claimed to love the world “out there.”
What was the problem?
From Conceit to Humility Philippians
2:3
The problem was that they, like everyone else, were wrapped
up in looking out for number one. Paul
is talking about motives of the heart.
We do make time for other people—naturally. But, for the most part, this is because of
their importance to us. We are
born manipulating people by being “nice” to them. If we are really honest, we often do this
because there is something we hope to gain.
But, so often we ignore others who don’t seem to have anything to
offer. This is natural. It’s the way we were born. But Paul is pointing out that this motivation
arising from our perception of selfish gain needs to change. Citizens of heaven are motivated by the needs
of others—not just my own desires. So,
when the Bible talks about “denying yourself” and “dying to self” this is part
of what it means. This is called
humility. It views me as a servant of others. In fact, Paul exhorts the
Philippians (and us) to consider “one another as more important than yourself
(NET).” But won’t they take advantage of
me?
Paul’s Golden Rule Philippians 2:4
Notice that in this self-denial we do not erase our
identity. There remains a reference
point of who we are. If we are to
completely die and be absolutely nothing, then how can we consider another
person more important than ourselves—if we don’t exist any longer? Verse 4 says, “Each of you should be
concerned not only about your
own interests, but about the interests of others as well (NET).” We will
continue to look out for own interests, but, as a priority, we look out for the
interests of others. Jesus’ “golden
rule” exhorts us to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” So, we do not disappear. Rather, we re-emerge as servants of the needs
of others, partly by referencing our own needs.
This is like Jesus’ second greatest commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Now some take this a bit too far and say that in order to
obey Jesus, we first have to learn to love ourselves. The fact is, even the
most twisted and tortured minds love themselves deeply though perhaps not very
thoughtfully. Again, that’s where
discernment and insight are needed. We already love ourselves. We need to learn to love others even
better. If you and I have a need—maybe
someone else does, too. So, we add others to our personal concerns.
There may be some disconnect between what others think is in
their best interests and what we may think.
Again, this goes back to Paul’s prayer for insight into what is
best. But here, the starting point is
our motivation. We might need to pray
for wisdom but first we need to pray for our heart to be just as concerned for
others as it is concerned for our own needs.
That’s where it begins.
In our next study Paul will hold out Christ’s own example of
this concern for others.
© Eric Thimell 2018
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