CHRISTIAN STARS
Philippians 2:12-30
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.
The world around us is obsessed with being noticed. We are in the era where you can make a lot of money by being popular, thus earning the title of an influencer. To stand out, we have to tell people what we have done, what we think, how we are unique, effective, attractive or relevant. We are of a generation obsessed with self and promoting self.
For Paul to tell us 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” is blasphemy in the religion of today. For Paul to assert that this is fundamentally the mindset of our Lord, a mindset that he beseeched us to have for ourselves, sets the Christian diametrically opposite the world.
Now Paul tells us that this is how we will shine as we live our lives against the backdrop of the prevailing philosophy of life and success in this world — when we are genuinely and wholeheartedly united as a community, not focused on ourselves but on each other and on Christ, not quarrelling over programmes and agenda, but resting on the grace of God.
To further help us understand this mindset, that perhaps is a little too far for us to approach when we see the example of Christ, who not only left heaven’s glory but humbled himself to obey God, even to the cross, Paul shared 3 other examples: himself, Timothy and Epaphroditus.
Paul shared his joy in seeing the Philippians blessed as they grow in their faith. Even if he were to be diminished in any way, his heart is still with the Philippians and he will still rejoice in their progress.
Timothy was a person who showed “genuine concern for your welfare” and was willing to serve Paul in whatever ways he could.
Epaphroditus was someone from the Philippian Church; someone from their own ranks. Paul shared that he risked his life to serve Paul and although he was ill and almost died, yet his heart was with the church.
This is not to say that these people were perfect — only Christ is perfect. But they demonstrated in their lives the attitude of caring for the interests of others so that when others are served and blessed, that forms the basis for their joy and on those occasions they were able to embody the mindset of Christ.
We too are not perfect and we should not read in these words of Paul the implication that we should be completely unselfish and humble throughout our entire Christian journey and expect the same of others. But they do hold up as examples of the kind of Christian we should aspire to be in the challenges we face in church and in the communities we have been placed.
At the same time, we learn to recognise those among us who have the same humility and eagerness for the good of the other, finding joy in their joy, progress and blessing, who are genuine in their service and actions, and who seek to nurture the fruit of the Gospel in the members of his church.
“So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him.”