THE FREEDOM TO SEE BEYOND OURSELVES

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  (Philippians 2:4)

As fireworks light up the skies and flags wave proudly across the U.S., we’re reminded of the cost of freedom -- of those who gave up their comfort, their safety, even their lives, so that others might live free. July 4th is a celebration not just of liberty, but of the extraordinary spirit of sacrifice that made it possible.

Paul’s words in Philippians 2:4 challenge us in a similar way. Freedom, in Christ and in country, is never meant to be hoarded -- it’s meant to be shared, stewarded, and used in service to others. As we enjoy the blessings of this nation, we’re reminded to ask: Am I using my freedom to look after the interests of others, not just my own?

In a culture that often celebrates individualism, Philippians 2:4 is a radical call back to community. It’s about remembering that true greatness is not found in how far we get ahead, but in how well we lift others up.

Enjoy your hot dogs and parades -- but also take a moment to do something selfless. Call a lonely neighbor. Listen before you speak. Be the person who brings peace where there’s tension and hope where there’s hurt.

Let freedom ring -- but let the love of Christ lead.

Lord, thank You for the gift of this nation and the freedom we enjoy. Help us not to take it for granted, nor to use it selfishly. Teach us to see others, not as obstacles or outsiders, but as neighbors to serve. May we reflect the self-giving love of Jesus, who gave everything that we might be free. In His name we pray, amen. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources

#6150

THREE DOLLARS WORTH

I would like to buy about three dollars worth of gospel, please. Not too much -- just enough to make me happy, but not so much that I get addicted. I don't want so much gospel that I learn to really hate covetousness and lust. I certainly don't want so much that I start to love my enemies, cherish self-denial, and contemplate missionary service in some alien culture. I want ecstasy, not repentance; I want transcendence, not transformation. I would like to be cherished by some nice, forgiving, broad-minded people, but I myself don't want to love those from different races -- especially if they smell. I would like enough gospel to make my family secure and my children well behaved, but not so much that I find my ambitions redirected or my giving too greatly enlarged. I would like about three dollars worth of gospel, please. 

-- D. A. Carson in “Basics for Believers: An Exposition of Philippians”

#5803

INTERDEPENDENCE DAY

“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care -- then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”   (Philippians 2:1-4 The Message)

July 4^th, Independence Day in the US, is now in our rearview mirror. We have celebrated our independence and our freedom, and rightly so. And yet it seems that today our drive for independence and freedom means I can do whatever I want, no matter the consequences on others. The polarization of society and the news headlines seem to indicate as much. Maybe we need another holiday – Interdependence Day, a day that we embrace interdependence without seeing it as a threat to our freedom.

The Christian life is an intensely personal matter, for the Spirit of Christ dwells at the very core of our beings. But it is never a private affair just between us and God. The interdependence found in Christian community provides the means of support to stay on the right road and the corrective against going down our own paths of self-obsession and sometimes self-destruction. It also provides a witness to the world that an other-focused interdependence is much healthier in the long run than a self-absorbed independence. 

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry

#5385

THE CONCEPT OF SELF-WORTH

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  (Romans 5:8 NKJV)

The gospel offers a powerful and uniquely balanced vision of the individual’s worth. The Bible pulls no punches about our depravity and rebellion outside of Christ. We deserve judgment. Yet, Christ loved us to the point of dying for us while we were still His enemies. Jesus’ death and resurrection mean that we never need to see ourselves as worthless again.

But we need a third dimension to the concept of self-worth. We need to see ourselves more as people in community than as individuals. The fact is, the more we chase after a positive self-image, the more elusive it seems. Yet, when we cease focusing on feeling good about ourselves, and move towards recapturing the dignity of being a servant to others, then we actually discover a far deeper sense of personal worth and satisfaction. 

-- Mark Strom in “The Symphony of Scripture: Making Sense of the Bible’s Many Themes”

#5339

LOOKING TO THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS

“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.”  (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)

We know the widest thing in the universe is not space; it is the potential capacity of the human heart.  Being made in the image of God, it is capable of almost unlimited extension in all directions.  And one of the world's greatest tragedies is that we allow our hearts to shrink until there is room in them for little besides ourselves.

-- A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) 

#5081

HOW IS IT WITH YOUR SOUL? - Part 1

"Christ encourages you, and His love comforts you. God’s Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others. Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. Don’t be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves.”  (Philippians 2:1-4 CEV)

John Wesley would open up all small group meetings with the question “How is it with your soul?” That’s a far deeper question than, “How are you?” How is your soul doing? How is your spirit faring? Really, how are you?

It’s a jarring question because we often ask, “How are you?” out of habit and usually get impatient when someone has the nerve to actually tell us how they are doing. Perhaps it’s a question we like to avoid because answering it forces us to really take stock on the health of our souls — which often leads to admitting that we may not be doing as well as we want others to think.

So it’s imperative that we reflect often on Wesley’s question: How is it with your soul? What are the things that I’m engaging in that bring my soul closer God? What are the things that I’m doing that are putting a wedge between God and myself? What are the things that I’m doing in my life that really make my soul shine brightly and flourish? What are things I’m engaged in that are draining the life out of my soul?

-- Adapted from Joseph Yoo in “Ministry Matters” Blog


#4810

RELATIONAL GENEROSITY

“Don’t just think about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and in what they are doing.”  (Philippians 2:4 TLB)

Most of us have opportunities every day to extend... relational generosity to someone and "make their day".  One student in nurses training learned this from her professor.  The last question on a pop quiz was "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"  The student's initial response was, "This has to be some kind of joke!"  She had seen the tall, fiftyish woman at work but felt no obligation to know her name.

Following the exam a student asked if that question would count on the grade.  "Absolutely," the professor exclaimed.  "In your careers you will meet many people.  All are significant.  They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello."

The individual who related this incident said, "I've never forgotten that lesson.  I also learned her name was Dorothy." 

-- Dr. Norm Wakefield & Jody Brolsma in “Men Are from Israel, Women Are from Moab” 


#4458

THE HAPPINESS OF OTHERS

“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.”  (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)

Our happiness is greatest when we contribute most to the happiness of others.

-- Harriet Shepard 


#4454

THINKING OF OTHERS

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,…”  (Philippians 2:3-5 NRSV)

Thoughtfulness is the beginning of great sanctity.  If you learn this art of being thoughtful, you will become more and more Christ-like, for His heart was meek and He always thought of others.  Our vocation, to be beautiful, must be full of thought for others.

-- Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

#4378