An unselfish life (3)

Philippians 2 is full of meaty stuff. Here's a really challenging part: 'In your relationships... have the same mindset as Christ Jesus' (Philippians 2:5 NIV).

Jesus sees value in each of us. Enough value to become human and die for us (let's take a moment to grasp the awesomeness of that!). And he wants us to see the same value in each other. He wants us to genuinely care about each other. Easy enough if we're talking about family or friends, but not so easy when we realise it means we have to love the people we may not particularly like. And he doesn't even mean just polite kindness; he means genuine concern. Paul wrote: 'I hope...to send Timothy to you...I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ' (Philippians 2:19-22 NIV).

Maybe we find it easy to get on with people, or maybe we take longer to form friendship bonds. By truly living for Jesus, we'll find that we automatically love people more and better. Life will always present us with people challenges, so let's approach them unselfishly, and respond with genuine concern. Let's think and act like Jesus would, and experience incredible breakthrough.



So what now? That person at school/work/church that you find particularly hard to bond with? Ask God to show you how he values that person, and ask him for an opportunity to bless them when you next see them.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Take an interest in others, too.' Philippians 2:4 NLT
— SOULFOOD —

1 Tim 4-6, John 5:31-47, Ps 126 , Pro 24:10