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- Apr 25, 2006
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18 November 2007
Word on the Web
Philippians 2 v 1-4
Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose. When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honour to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.
One thing that sets Christianity apart from all the other religions and worldviews is that it's not based on us trying to be better than we are. Everywhere else we find people trying to climb up to something. People are trying to be better than they are, whether it's for Allah, for God, for a better reincarnation, to reach nirvana (not the band!), or whether it's simply to be a better human being. Everywhere we look, people are climbing up but in Christianity, God comes down. He comes down to where we are. He came down to earth 2000 years ago and he still meets us where we are today.
This is the context in which Paul asks his readers to do the things in today's passage. Not in their own strength, but reliant on the strength that comes from God. Not in our own love, but reliant on the love that comes from God. Not in our own character, but reliant on the character of his Holy Spirit.
With this in mind, Paul asks (and fully expects) to see the following things in the lives of those who have met with and follow Jesus:
* Agreement with other Christians on priorities and goals
* Enjoyment of loving relationships with other Christians
* A community attitude to all plans and activities
* A selfless effort to help strengthen others
Prayer
Father, thank you that you love me just the way I am but thank you also that you love me far too much to leave me that way. You want me to be just like you and you've given me all the strength, comfort and love that I need in order to change bit-by-bit. Help me today to become more like you, not out of guilt but because of the freedom you have given me. Amen!
Written by Dave Pegg
Word on the Web
Philippians 2 v 1-4
Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose. When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honour to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.
One thing that sets Christianity apart from all the other religions and worldviews is that it's not based on us trying to be better than we are. Everywhere else we find people trying to climb up to something. People are trying to be better than they are, whether it's for Allah, for God, for a better reincarnation, to reach nirvana (not the band!), or whether it's simply to be a better human being. Everywhere we look, people are climbing up but in Christianity, God comes down. He comes down to where we are. He came down to earth 2000 years ago and he still meets us where we are today.
This is the context in which Paul asks his readers to do the things in today's passage. Not in their own strength, but reliant on the strength that comes from God. Not in our own love, but reliant on the love that comes from God. Not in our own character, but reliant on the character of his Holy Spirit.
With this in mind, Paul asks (and fully expects) to see the following things in the lives of those who have met with and follow Jesus:
* Agreement with other Christians on priorities and goals
* Enjoyment of loving relationships with other Christians
* A community attitude to all plans and activities
* A selfless effort to help strengthen others
Prayer
Father, thank you that you love me just the way I am but thank you also that you love me far too much to leave me that way. You want me to be just like you and you've given me all the strength, comfort and love that I need in order to change bit-by-bit. Help me today to become more like you, not out of guilt but because of the freedom you have given me. Amen!
Written by Dave Pegg
