‘Love… is not rude (does not dishonour others), it is not self-seeking…’ (13:5)
Rather than rudeness and self-seeking, we are encouraged to:
‘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 the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…’ (Philippians 2:3-5)
However, we must not get the idea that to be a Christian is to simply seek to live like Jesus. Our efforts to love others do not save us. In the story of Pinocchio, the blue fairy promises him that if he proves himself brave, truthful, and unselfish, he will become a real boy. For Christians, this is the wrong way round! God makes us a ‘real’ Christian - one born again of the Spirit’ - so as to be able to live unselfishly; too often Christians get this idea the wrong way round. So this encouragement to unselfish living in Philippians 2:3-5, must be read in its context. Earlier in chapter 1, we read,
‘Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 1:6)
Yes, we are to seek to love like Jesus, however, we must understand that all of our efforts are dependent upon the good work of God that He has begun in us. He is working and will complete His good work of character transformation in us. We are also read:
‘Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.’ (Philippians 1:11)
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