Passage Read: Philippians 1-2
Meditation Verses: 2:20-21
Thought
Paul praises Timothy as a higher example of what he just called the Philippians to do and be. He called them to a humility that considers others better and that looks out for the interests of others as well as for their own. That's already a tough but amazing challenge. But then he calls them to pattern their humility after Christ's, who went further, who gave up all claim to Himself and submitted Himself to the Father as a slave, a servant without rights over Himself. That's the humility Paul says Timothy has: He takes a genuine interest in their welfare and further defines that as looking out for the interests of Christ. Timothy isn't concerned with their material welfare, but how their faring spiritually. And not just how they're doing in terms of receiving benefit for themselves, but how they are doing in bringing honor and glory to Jesus. Timothy's personal interests revolve around what is important to Jesus. He's not taking care of himself and also looking out for what Jesus wants; he's given his life to serve the interests of Jesus. Just as Jesus gave up all personal interest to fulfill the wishes of His Father. The most basic form of Christian humility is to love each other as we love ourselves, a roughly equal concern for others as we have for ourselves--which should dramatically change our personal priorities. The highest form of Christian humility, however, is to love the Lord with all we are and give up all our own personal interests in order to fully adopt Christ's interests as our own.
Application
It's already hard enough to be equally concerned for the well-being of others as I am for my own well-being. But to surrender all concern for my own well-being and take on only Christ's concern for others, that sounds incredibly noble, but also incredibly punishing. And to see what Paul went through in living that out only confirms that evaluation. That Timothy would watch all Paul endures for the sake of Christ and His churches and still choose to live for Christ's interests rather than his own, that speaks volumes about him. It can be done. Christ is worthy, and God's people can certainly use an earthly advocate. I see that, I want that, but I also fear what it'll cost. Lord, help me rise to this challenge.