Bible Studies

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The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Philippi:

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with 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 purpose.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1-11)

This scripture goes against our very nature. From the time we are born, our first priority is self-preservation (a notion that most people seem never to outgrow).

However, the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is telling us to "consider others better than ourselves." and "look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

Wait a minute, you might be thinking that it's only natural to think of ourselves first ("look out for number one"). Yes, you are right, that is our natural tendency, but God is not natural, He is SUPERnatural (above nature). Putting it another way, God (the Father, Son and Spirit) transcend nature, and with their help, we can also.

Steven Brown – (stevenbrown.org)

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