There are always life principles to learn and to apply from scripture. Paul’s letters are no exception to this. In the 2nd Chapter of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi his encouragement was for the church to put the interests of the group, above individual ambitions, to unite, to be of one mind, to humble themselves, in so doing, following Jesus’ example. Paul says act toward each other in the same way Christ acts toward you.

In considering how Paul’s encouragement might apply today, it’s simply this: In all of our conversations, all of our dealings with people, in all of our relationships we are to have the same mind-set of Jesus, adopting his attitude, thinking and acting the way he would want us to, doing nothing out of selfish ambition (or vain conceit). Conducting ourselves in the way that Jesus himself would, conducting ourselves in a “manner worthy of the gospel” that we proclaim (1:27).

Our conduct is part of our witness. Our challenge therefore is focusing on Jesus, and living such other-centered lives that those around us want to become followers of Christ.

Our motivation to love each other, for unity as a body, and to conduct ourselves well comes from Christ himself. When we are in Christ we need no other incentive or motivation, for to glorify him, alone, is enough reason to live this way.

 

Contributed by Ross Woodhouse