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Daily Devotions

Philippians

Philippians 
Day 
Day 35

"The interests of others."

Text: Philippians 2:4

LOOKING OUT FOR EACH OTHER

One of the ways to practise Unity in the Church Community would be to learn how to look out for each other.

“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests,
but also for the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:4

1. Self-interest

a) This is a common experience.
b) We normally tend to look out for ourselves first.
c) Sometimes self-interest becomes overly strong.
d) It tends to exclude concern for others.

2. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests”

a) Paul acknowledged that looking out for ourselves is a very human trait.
b) The challenge however is to learn how to go beyond self-interest.

3. “But also for the interests of others”

a) Another employment of the strong contrastive conjunction (Greek “alla”).
b) This suggests a strong contrast.
i) Looking out for ourselves (the usual).
ii) Looking out for the interests of others (Beyond the usual).

THINGS THAT BRING ABOUT DISUNITY IN THE CHURCH

In summary, Paul highlighted the things that could hurt the spirit of oneness in the church!

1. Selfish ambition

2. Conceit

3. Lack of esteem for others

4. Self-interest

5. A lack of interest in the things of other people

A CALL TO PROMOTE UNITY

There must be a strong and concerted effort made by all concerned. All that God has blessed us with ought to be brought to bear so that Unity in the Church Community may be safe-guarded and even promoted. The key to the practice of these Christian virtues lies in a thought that Paul gently emphasised. He urged that the mind must be consciously applied (Philippians 2:2-3 employs the word “mind” significantly). Believers are urged to put their mind to this challenge to promote a healthy state of oneness in the Body of Christ! We have much to lose if this sense of oneness is lost inadvertently!