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Philippians 2:1-4
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
New International Version (NIV)
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Eyjafjallajokull. I know. It looks like one of those inadvertent things our phone keyboard types when we are not looking. But there it is, right underneath my monitor in my office. It was a gift from my assistant when she went to Iceland. You may remember it. Perhaps if I pronounce it for you “Ay-uh-fyat-luh-yoe-kuutl-uh.” It is the name of the famous volcano which erupted some years ago. Why is this refrigerator magnet sitting on my desk? To remind me, of course.
When Paul described his own chains and suffering, he told the Philippians that they were now going through the same struggle they had seen in him. Were some of them in jail? Had they, like Paul, been caught in the act of preaching again? Then Paul says, “Therefore.” Whenever we see, “Therefore,” we should seek the reason for which it is there or as a friend says, “what it is there for.” Paul tells them they are suffering and then tells them, “Therefore encourage each other in loving unity in Christ". He calls them to humility as an alternative to hostility.
Paul knew what we must know. Suffering can make you hostile. Like a herd of donkeys, we could try to protect each other by kicking each other. How do we love those whom we foolishly thought were our enemies? Paul points the Philippians and us to the humility of Christ as an example for relationships. This means of course that we can do everything without grumbling and arguing (2:14). “The world is such a better place because I erupted in anger,” said nobody ever.
Jesus provides a wonderful alternative to the ongoing media foment (2:5-11). Even if the whole world erupts in anger, we don’t have to join in. In fact, we don’t even have to watch the television. Almost every television remote has a power button to turn it off. Our phones can be put away. Computers can be turned off, as well. Instead of a screen, we could ponder the beauty of a Savior who gave up his rights willingly to save the world. Set the Lord always before you!
When I was a high school senior in Great Falls, Montana, a mountain six hundred miles away blew up. Mt. Saint Helens’ volcanic eruption consumed a large lake, evaporating it into the sky. Ash rained on our city for days. But the worst devastation was to the mountain itself. Once tall, it became small because it erupted. It used to be one of the tallest before it blew its top. Eyjafjallajokull. It reminds us, of course, not to be overcome by anger. James wrote, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19-20).
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Pray with me:
Heavenly Father, let the love of Christ take hold of us, let the light of Christ shine in our hearts, let the love of Christ flow through us like a river. Father, let the love of Christ take hold of those who disagree with us, let the light of Christ shine in their hearts, let the love of Christ flow through them like a river. And let this river make us glad instead of mad. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Join us in memorizing the Word. Scripture for this week:
Matthew 6:12-13
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
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| Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week. In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.
Joyfully,
Duane
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