Unity and Humility

I love using my ESV study Bible for my daily reading. The footnotes really help to broaden my thinking about a particular verse, sometimes even a single word in a particular verse. Today I'd just like to share some general thoughts I had about this month's RMMR meditation passage, Philippians 2:1-11, with the help of some of those footnotes.

In Philippians 2:1-2, Paul is encouraging people to unity in the faith. To some this would conjure up toned-down visions of public mind control not unlike George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four. Everyone just think the same way and don't ask questions. But consider this: "[Being of the same mind] does not imply a drab intellectual uniformity; rather, the Philippians are to use their diverse gifts (cf. 1 Corinthians 12) in an agreeable, cooperative spirit, with a focus on the glory of God" (ESV Study Bible, p. 2282). How do we do this? Look back to verse 1 and ask yourself this question: "Are the qualities of encouragement, participation in the Spirit, affection, and sympathy evident in my life?" These are the things that unite us in the faith.

Then in Philippians 2:3-4, Paul goes even further. How can we encourage, love, and sympathize with others when we're all so different? "...Everyone naturally looks out for his or her own interests. The key is to take that same level of concern and apply it also to the interests of others" (ESV Study Bible, p. 2282). I think it's easy for us to say that we think about others, that we esteem them highly. Sure, I extend concern for others in their times of trouble. But do I do so to the same level that I do for myself? Something to think about.

And what does that look like anyway? "Such radical love is rare, so Paul proceeds to show its supreme reality in the life of Christ (Phil. 2:5-11).... Jesus is the paradigm [model] of genuine spiritual progress: not a self-aggrandizing struggle for supremacy, but a deep love for God and neighbor shown in deeds of service" (ESV Study Bible, p. 2282). It looks like the gospel. It looks like being willing to lay your life down for another in the face of great pain and suffering because you know it is ultimately for their good and God's glory.

As a wife, laying down your life might look like making dinner for your husband instead of asking him to pick something up on his way home. As a mom, laying down your life might look like getting down on the floor and playing with your kid(s) when you'd rather be checking out Facebook or watching Hulu. As a single, laying down your life might look like devoting your extra time and money to the church rather than spending it on yourself.

How are you laying down your life?