Read Philippians 2:1-4. Paul cared for every community he wrote to. Every letter he wrote was a love letter! He got joy from seeing others coming to Jesus and growing in Him. You can see it in today’s reading: he says, “make my joy complete” (Phil 2:2). He’s writing to the Philippians. How can they make his joy complete?
He wants them to enjoy their life together in Christ. He wants them to share in his joy. Paul is happy when he sees others growing in Jesus. It’s not about Paul. There he is, locked up in prison, but he’s excited about the lives of the church people he has helped.
What kind of church was there at Philippi? It was like ours – an international faith community! Remember, this is where Paul met Lydia, a woman who wasn’t a Jew. There were people from many places in that church. You can imagine that people came with different customs and different ideas about many things. But Paul reminds them to be the same where it matters – to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Phil 2:2).
How do we be “like-minded”? We just don’t think the same as each other. We have different opinions and different ways of doing things. Paul says how in verse 3: be humble. “Consider others better than yourselves” (Phil 2:3). That’s a Christian way of thinking. It’s not actually true, because God loves us all equally. If I think you are better, and you think I am better, who is right? It’s not true that anyone is better. But it’s how we understand the foolishness of our nature. It’s so natural to be selfish, to take more than we need, to let others go without. It’s so natural to want to be number 1, to get prizes and honour and the respect of other people for our greatness. Our culture rewards the high achievers. That feeling is so strong. Our ego says, “I am best” and “I am right”! Paul has a remedy. Think of others first.
This is not a heavy thing. It’s not something to make us miserable. Paul is talking about joy! We can get a kick out of helping others. It’s true. I see it in people of this congregation. Kisook has told me that it’s a good feeling when she shares food or helps people find a healer.
Yes, it’s a good feeling. Some of us have visited people in hospital. Of course, it’s a benefit for people like Burt. But don’t you also feel warmed inside? Don’t you get blessed when you see how you have blessed others?
Sometimes we get upset by what is different in others. Some people talk a lot, or have habits that annoy us. We tend to be critical. We should check ourselves! Will it be helpful to criticise? Sometimes, there is something we can say. Sometimes, it’s important to have a word with someone if they’re making it hard for us to be together. But we must not do this in a way that makes ourselves look better. Teachers are judged more harshly! (James 3:1).
If we are parents, we want our children to get along together. That’s what Paul wanted for the Philippians. That’s what God wants for us! We do it by being humble – by having the mind of Christ. He put us before Himself.
The wonderful thing is that this humble way can help us be truly human. Helping others is a key to joy!
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