Getting Along By Joe Stowell Read: Philippians 2:1-11 Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love. —Philippians 2:2 Bible in a Year: Genesis 7-9; Matthew 3 I love being with people . . . most of the time. There is a special joy that resonates in our hearts when we are with people we enjoy. But unfortunately we are not always with those we like to be around. Sometimes people can be prickly, which may be why someone has said, “The more I get to know people, the more I love my dog!” When we don’t find joy in a relationship, we tend to blame the other person; then we excuse ourselves as we exit to be with people we like. The apostle Paul asks us to lovingly engage with our brothers and sisters in Christ. In fact, he calls all of us to be “of one accord,” to look out “for the interests of others,” and to “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:2-5). Think about it. Jesus gave up His own prerogatives and privileges for us; He chose to live as a servant and paid the ultimate sacrifice that He might bring us into a joy-filled relationship with Him (see Heb. 12:2). And He did all that in spite of our prickliness (see Rom. 5:8). So next time you are with someone who is not easy to get along with, ask Jesus to help you find a way to extend His love. In time, you might be surprised by how God can change your attitude about people. Lord, thank You that while I was still offensive to You, You saved me with Your sacrificial love. Give me the same courage and grace to extend to others the love that You have so graciously extended to me. The key to getting along with others is having the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:1-11International Standard Version (ISV) Unity through Humility 2 Therefore, if there is any encouragement in the Messiah,[a] if there is any comfort of love, if there is any fellowship in the Spirit, if there is any compassion and sympathy, 2 then fill me with joy by having the same attitude, sharing the same love, being united in spirit, and keeping one purpose in mind. 3 Do not act out of selfish ambition or conceit, but with humility think of others as being better than yourselves. 4 Do not be concerned about your own interests, but also be concerned about[b] the interests of others. 5 Have the same attitude among yourselves[c] that was also in the Messiah[d] Jesus:[e] 6 In God’s own form existed he, and shared with God equality, deemed nothing needed grasping. 7 Instead, poured out in emptiness, a servant’s form did he possess, a mortal man becoming. In human form he chose to be, 8 and lived in all humility, death on a cross obeying. 9 Now lifted up by God to heaven, a name above all others given, this matchless name possessing. 10 And so, when Jesus’ name is called, the knees of everyone should fall,[f] wherever they’re residing.[g] 11 Then every tongue in one accord, will say that Jesus the Messiah[h] is Lord, while God the Father praising.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 00:52:43 +0000
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