Reading Plan:
Philippians 2:1-11

Author: Gray Strickland

Today’s reading is a fitting end to the week. Philippians 2 is a summary of everything we’ve talked about this week. The Apostle Paul basically starts by saying, “Hey guys, if Christ has made any difference in your life, then it should make a difference in your relationships!” In other words, your vertical relationship should directly impact your horizontal relationship. In the following verses, he articulates exactly what he means, “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 others.”

That’s a tall order, no doubt, but he’s not done. He continues, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Did you catch that? “In your relationships with one another,” we are supposed to have the same mindset as Christ! In verses 6-11, Paul describes that mindset. He tells how Jesus personifies humility, selflessness, and service for our benefit and God’s glory. That’s what we are to do as well, but that’s not exactly the way of the world, is it? As we’ve said all week, our lives and relationships should be a stark contrast to the world around us.

As difficult as it may seem, I think many of us know this is a better way to live. I think many of us know the impact a life like this has on an unbelieving world. Knowing these things doesn’t make it easier though. So, how do we live a life like that? Do we just try really hard? You know, white-knuckling a life that honors God in our relationships? Negative! Trying hard, trying to white-knuckle obedience won’t get us far. That’s working from the outside in—this is not effective.

Jesus wants to work from the inside out. How? In John 15:5 he says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” The word “remain” in this verse means to stick with or to be with. Jesus is telling us that before we can effectively live out our faith in our relationships we need to first “be with” Him. We do this by spending time in His Word and prayer daily. As we spend time with Him, God’s Word begins to transform us from the inside out.

I like to say it this way, “I need to be with before I do for.” In other words, the quality of our relationship with Christ directly impacts every other part of our life, especially our relationships! So before we run headlong into all the relationships in our lives, let’s spend time with the most important relationship in our life.


Reflection & Response:

• What does your time with God currently look like? Is it consistent or sporadic? Is it intentional or random? If sporadic or random, what can you do to make it more consistent and intentional?
• Reread John 15:5. What does Jesus mean when He says “you will bear much fruit”? Check out Galatians 5:22:23 for some ideas.
• Prayer: Father, thank You for being a personal God! Thank you for desiring to spend time with me and always showing me a better way. Help me to prioritize our time together, not as another thing to do, but as a relationship to invest in. Father, continue to transform me from the inside out.
  
  
  Family Application: Putting Others First Because Jesus Put Us First
  Author: Nichole McCardle
• All week, we have been learning how to treat others in a way that is pleasing to God. Today’s passage sums up everything that we have learned. In Philippians 2:1-11, the Apostle Paul writes that we should use Jesus as our example and try to be like Him. Verse 5 states, “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life on earth and is the best example we could look to! Verses 6-11 show us that Jesus was selfless and humble. This teaches us to put others first because Jesus put us first.
• How do we get the same mindset of Christ? Through spending time with Jesus in prayer and reading our Bible.
• Jesus came to serve, not to be served. He came to help, care for, and love other people. If Jesus, the Son of God, can do that, how might you be able to serve others around you today?
• Prayer: God, You are the best! Thank You for sending Jesus to earth so that we can learn from Him! God, help me to be loving and to put others first. Amen.