We may know the Lord but we shouldn’t live for ‘Self’.
Paul appealed to the Philippian Church to go forward in love and humility for one another and avoid being self centred.
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, 2 THEN MAKE MY JOY COMPLETE BY BEING LIKE-MINDED, HAVING THE SAME LOVE, BEING ONE IN SPIRIT AND PURPOSE. Philippians 2
Paul continues his letter with a powerful statement about all that being united to Christ should mean for believers. He appeals to them, that if they’ve experienced these blessings, ‘Then’ they should make his Joy complete by being as one/united in Christ. Unity is something the enemy hates and fears. It’s also supposed to be a sign to the world. Paul acknowledges the Joy that the Philippians bring to him, while under house arrest in Rome. He goes on to tell them how they should go forward together as one.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (in contrast to serving one another). Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Paul goes on later to speak of his spiritual son Timothy;
20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Timothy apparently didn’t live for himself and Paul said that set him apart. Everyone else was looking out for themselves, not Christ. We see many times in the Bible, the length God goes to, in order to get someone with a true heart towards Him; Moses 40 years in the desert, Samuel dedicated before birth, David fleeing for his life but praising the Lord through it all. God values and protects those who live for Him and not self.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 who, being in very NATURE GOD,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very NATURE OF A SERVANT,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death –
even death on a cross!
Paul tells us clearly, Jesus laid aside His deity/God Nature to take on a human body and the Servant Nature (Thank You Lord). That he obeyed even to death and death on a cross. We too must choose how to live while here in time, Paul urges to take up the servant nature and set aside self interest.
38 Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you. AMPC
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God bless and keep you today.