Balance

On September 25, 2023   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Philippians 2: 3 – 4

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

There are two sides to this coin. The first I think is obvious and was the thrust of Paul’s message. Namely, we are not to be so self-absorbed that we fail to be mindful and attentive to the needs of others. Paul wanted Christians to get themselves off their minds. Truly, this is a restatement of the love commandment.

Natural man is self-concerned. Self-preservation is a primitive urge that, in civilized society, has morphed into many other forms of self service. God, however, has called us out of our “natural” state and into the Kingdom of His son. In that Kingdom, each of us is cared for by the Father so we have no need to worry about our needs or even our wants. In the Kingdom, we turn our thoughts to others. This is the perfect order, the way of the King. This is a very simple and understandable message. The only difficulty is in execution. Fulfilling our divine order becomes possible when we intertwine with the Father. Then His ways become our ways.

The other side of the coin and the one not overtly discussed, but certainly implied is that we must give some care to ourselves. Do I contradict myself? No, not at all. Father has the care of you, but He may have told you to rest your body or your mind and you have forsaken His instruction. That is failure. Father has not asked us to martyr ourselves. He wants you to take care of yourself. He just doesn’t want us to be selfish ignoring other peoples’ needs in favor of our desires. We are to follow Him in all things. That necessarily includes obeying His instructions for our well being.

In the Kingdom, there is no selfishness. When we understand the Father and understand the Kingdom we will not feel the need to fight for our wants and needs. In fact, all of our needs are in the Lord. Partake of Him and you will be filled. Then you will be well able to meet the needs of others.

If all your resources are going to feed your passions, you may need to check in with the Father, but do not fail to listen to Him about your welfare either.

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Theology in Practice

On October 14, 2021   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Philippians 2: 3 – 4

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

We have heard a lot about individual rights lately. As both a political science major with a pre-law emphasis and then a lawyer, I have always been (and still am) an individual rights proponent. However, I have learned that there is a proper hierarchy of values and that love and care for our fellow human beings must precede our thoughts of self. The Word teaches that we are to concern ourselves with the needs of others above our own needs (1 Corinthians 10: 24). That necessarily means that love overrules philosophy, religion, politics, and even theology. In fact, theology is greatly simplified once we put love on the throne. When love, who is God remember, is in its proper place at the head, everything else begins to fall into place.

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends” (John 15: 13). The point is that love is sacrificial. It puts the needs of others first. Jesus showed us the way of love. Certainly, that does not mean that each of us is the die for others but in many ways, every day we can lay down our lives for others by putting what is needful for them ahead of our desires.

Frankly, I am tired of hearing people complain about wearing masks! For goodness sakes, no one likes wearing the things, but it is such a small price to pay for the comfort and safety of others. And when I hear Christians complaining and arguing about their rights I am flabbergasted! Jesus laid down his life and told us we should do the same and yet we lose our minds, and our Christianity, over wearing a mask? Give me a break!!

Many people give so much to care for the needs and safety of others. In many places in the world just holding a Bible can condemn a person to death. How, then, can a rational Christian spend so much time and energy on something so trivial? It is confounding! Jesus gave his life for us. Now we are being asked not to breathe on others and make them die for us. Does that seem too much to ask?

Did you know that if you hold someone up at gun point even though your gun is a water pistol you could be charged with assault with a deadly weapon? When our actions put people in fear of their lives, we can be held responsible for those acts. The most virulent weapon may be your breath. If you are around someone and you choose not to wear a mask, you could actually endanger them but also, you may cause them concern and angst. Jesus would have us take care of those people, not put them in fear.

The Bible is explicit in its instruction. Those with ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to you today. Our needs and wishes are not all we should consider. Putting the wellbeing of others in a preeminent position is the Christian thing to do every day. I didn’t say it was easy or that we would always get it right. However, this message should go to the forefront of our minds and certainly should be the banner of our faith. Jesus left us with one commandment, “Love one another; just as I have loved you” (John 13: 34). It must have meant something when he said it. It must be pretty important if he made this our one guiding principle. By this, and nothing else, we will be known as his disciples.

Some of you won’t like this message. If that is you, take it up with Jesus. It seems to me he was pretty clear. Don’t quit! Don’t unsubscribe. Be teachable and receive instruction. I know you want to follow him. If I am wrong, Jesus will help you find your way. If I am right, he just did.

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