The Interests of Others Above Your Own

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Parents and grandparents learn how to put the needs of their children above their own. We
are to do the same with our spiritual children. BTW -- this is Halston at 4 months. I just
had to find a way to add his cute picture :) 


Scripture

Phil. 1:21 For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which I prefer. 23 I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; 24 but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. 25 Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, 26 so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Observation

The transition from life to death does not appear that great in the eyes of Paul. For him to live is to be in Christ, and to die is to find himself in even greater intimacy with Christ. While he lives in the flesh, he continues to be on mission with Jesus. He will fruitfully labor for Christ and he finds great contentment in this work. He has learned that while he labors on mission with Christ, he is continually growing in his relationship “in” Christ. The both-and of this relationship is what allows him to minister effectively to the people of Philippi and Rome. While he would like to be with Christ, he knows that wish may be selfish, and so he gives himself, self-sacrificially, continuing to minister in the flesh. 

Having experienced his own progress and joy in faith, he desires the very same for the church in Philippi. All of this is because of participation in Christ, and therefore the only boasting he will tolerate is that of being “in” Christ. 

Application

Paul’s letters and his own life had to be the models for Christian living in the early years of the church. They didn’t have the New Testament as we know it, and most of the gospels had not yet been written. Paul’s letters are our earliest writings from what becomes the New Testament, and therefore he understood the power of his own testimony when it came to those whom he was discipling. He models for his spiritual children what it means to put the interests of others above your own. He says to follow him as he follows Christ, and therefore we see in him the reflection of Christ’s self-giving love. 

The responsibility for being a good example for others didn’t end when Paul went to be with Christ. He admonished those who read his writings to do the same and to be good examples. That includes all of us. The plea is for us be “in” Christ and to only boast about Jesus. Everything about our lives to be focused upon Jesus, loving him and reflecting him to the world. When this is the case, then the interests of others will be placed above our own, because that’s the way in which Jesus lived his life. He gave his life so that all of us might live. 

If Jesus were here with us, staying at home in a quarantine, what would he do? Am I doing what Jesus would do? How can I put the interests of others above my own, even when in quarantine? 

It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Follow Jesus! But when we are “in” Christ and we are participating with him in his mission, we are continually challenged. Day after day we must ask what it means for us to live out this participation in the flesh. Let’s boast about Jesus, and participate with him, looking for ways in which we can put the needs of others above our own. Then Jesus will get the glory! 

Prayer

Lord, I need you every step of the way. I need your guidance and wisdom so that I can participate with you. Amen. 

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