QT 12/09/2024 Thu. Philippians 2. Struggling for Christ's Interest. 为基督的利益而奋斗.

QT 12/09/2024 Thu. Philippians 2.
http://www.esvbible.org/phi2

Do we have the same love and mind? Meeting together frequently is no guarantee for that. Paul has warned the readers, "For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ" (Phi 2:21).

REFLECTION: Do I belong to that category? Do I analyse things from my angle or that of Jesus Christ?

But advancing the interest of Christ frequently puts you OUT of your comfort zone:-

You might have to struggle to do things NOT for SELFISH ambition or conceit (Phi 2:3);

You might have to struggle to "consider OTHERS more significant than YOURSELVES" (Phi 2:3);

There is the challenge of taking on the "servant" attitude, even unto DEATH (Phi 2:6-8);

In addition, the challenge of avoiding "complaining or arguing" (Phi 2:14).

APPLICATION: Look to the interests of others (Phi 2:4) and Christ. God works through us (Phi 2:13) as we sacrifice for the "work of Christ", like what Epaphroditus did (Ph 2:30).

星期四 2024年9月12日 今日读经：腓立比书2章.
http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Phl/2/

我们是否有着同样的爱和思想？常常聚会并不能保证。保罗已告诫读者，“因为大家只顾自己的事，而不理耶稣基督的事”(腓2:21)。

反思：我是属于那个类别吗？我是否从自己的角度还是从耶稣基督的角度来分析事情？

但为基督的事而前进往往会让你踏出舒适的地带:-

你或许得挣扎着为不自私的理由谦虚地做事(腓2:3)；

你或许必须“考虑到别人比自己强”(腓2:3)；

你将面临承担“奴仆”的形象的挑战，甚至是死亡的挑战(腓2:6-8)；

另外，还要面对“不要发怨言、起争论”的考验(腓2:14)。

应用：要“顾别人的事(腓2:4)和基督的事。当我们为“基督的事”牺牲时，神会在我们里面动工(腓2:13)，就如以巴弗提一样(腓2:30).