“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:1-4 CSB

If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times…you don’t have to teach a child to be selfish. The “my way, right away” attitude seems to be ingrained. They grow from being dependent, helpless infants to strong willed toddlers seemingly overnight. As they grow, the desire for independence becomes stronger. Individuality has become a trademark among the generations, each trying to distinguish itself from the previous.

Paul is calling to the church at Philippi to be one. United in spirit around a common purpose sharing the same love. His words are striking…consider others as more important than yourselves. Isn’t it ironic that we spend a majority of our lives trying to establish our independence and individuality only to realize that we need others? Paul is encouraging the believers at Philippi to be one. One body united in Christ for the good of one another.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and venture to say that many of us tend to be active church attenders. We are willing to go, listen to a sermon, carry on a surface level conversation and expect that to be “church”. Yet we see here there is so much more than that. What does it mean to look out for the interest of others? I think it means getting my hands dirty. Being willing to speak the Truth poured into me out into the lives of those around me. It is hearing the stories of those we live life with day in and day out. Holding those stories with value and respect, and sharing our own without fear of condemnation. It looks like worship, fellowship, forgiveness and ministry in the big and small, seen and unseen with the family of believers to which you belong.

Remember, Paul is writing to a church, not to an individual. We are to live in community with other believers, worshipping and serving along side them as the church, administering words of comfort, correction and concern, as well as converting, discipling and equipping others. You have to start somewhere. You are a single piece of the puzzle. The picture of the church locally is incomplete if you are not an active part of the unit. We must be cautious that our attitude toward the local church is not “my way, right away” but one of humility and service.

Questions for Reflection:

• Are you an active member of a local church? If not, why?
• What do you have to offer the local church?
• Are you a safe place for others?
• Who is a safe place for you?

Father, thank you for the gift of the local church. Give me eyes to see and a heart to desire the community you have placed me in or desire me to be part of. May it not be about my preferences but Your’s alone. Amen.