Philippians 2:1-4 Revised Standard Version
Imitating Christ’s Humility
2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Do you remember one of the earliest questions in the Bible?
“Where is your brother Abel?”
To which Cain responded: “Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Paul’s answer to that question is a clear and undeniable yes!
Like Christ, we must look to the interest of others and not just our own.
Philippians 2:1-4 Easy-to-Read Version
Be United and Care for Each Other
2 Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, 2 then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think. 3 In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. 4 Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too.
These words from Paul are written in the context of modeling our lives after the same attitude Christ Jesus illustrated when He left the glory of heaven to come to earth as a lowly human man, destined to die on a cross for the sins of us all.
Everything He did at Calvary was in absolute consideration of the dire state of lost humanity, separated from their Creator – from the start, He took into all accounts, or considered, our circumstances and was moved to act in all mercy.
As followers of Jesus, we are commanded to walk, to act, in the same manner.
1 John 2:3-6 GOD’S WORD Translation
Those Who Know Christ Obey His Commandments
3 We are sure that we know Christ if we obey his commandments. 4 The person who says, “I know him,” but doesn’t obey his commandments is a liar. The truth isn’t in that person. 5 But whoever obeys what Christ says is the kind of person in whom God’s love is perfected. That’s how we know we are in Christ. 6 Those who say that they live in him must live the same way he lived.
What Does It Mean to Be Considerate of Others?
The root word is “consider,” meaning to think carefully about something, especially before making a decision.
A considerate person shows regard for the needs or feelings of others.
Their words and actions are characterized by careful thought; they are deliberate and intentional, given to consideration or to sober reflection.
They are mindful of consequences or circumstance and especially careful of the rights, claims, and feelings of others.
In this devotional, we’ll unpack some practical ways Scripture teaches us to be considerate.
But first, we need to address an incorrect understanding that our culture has created.
From a worldly perspective, the phrase “being considerate” is often interpreted as avoiding anything that could “trigger” “cause meltdown,” offend someone.
The secular world would have us to believe that we can never say or do anything that could possibly hurt the feelings of someone who views life from a different perspective, even if it means withholding the truth and (gasp) not telling the truth.
This thought has nothing to do with the biblical concept of being considerate.
Jesus’ words and His actions were often decisively challenging to His listeners.
The truth He spoke was diametrically opposed to the cultural and religious ideology popular in His day – His thoughts, words were not politically correct.
He questioned both the religious, the secular belief systems that were in place.
And while He never sought to dismantle the current political structure, He was clear that the kingdom He came to install was of a spiritual nature, not subject to the whims and notions and any political advantages of this world’s rulers.
Jesus considered the true circumstances of the people He came to save and spoke 100% directly and decisively, forthright and forwardly and acted accordingly.
His words and actions were characterized by compassion and careful thought, always intentional, always truthful, and always with the goal of changing the heart behind the faces who followed Him, even the faces of those who scorned.
Thankfully, the words and pages of the Bible does give us a pattern for how we can consider the circumstances of the people around us and respond, within the Wisdom literature, and Jesus’ life and words, and the teachings of the apostles.
The most inconsiderate, the most ungrateful thing we could ever do is fail to tell others the truth about the God who loves them so much He would die for them.
But how we speak about truth and the actions we take because of that truth can and should be done with great consideration – as others see our heart for them, and for our God, their hearts will become more open to the Savior we represent.
Proverbs 3:3-4 The Message
3-4 Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.
Paul’s letter to the Philippian believers gives us some practical wisdom for how we can model the love of Christ as a considerate person.
We are told “have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).
Here are just four things which characterize the type of person we want to be:
1. A Considerate Person Speaks and Acts from a Place of Humility (Philippians 2:3)
In our definition of considerate, we prayerfully saw that we must be mindful of consequences or circumstance and especially careful of the rights, claims, and feelings of others.
This takes major Christ-like measures of humility, a willingness to step all of the way back and think about what pre-existing events might have taken place in a person’s life to bring them into their current situation or attitude – events and the consequences, effects of which, we may know nothing about personally.
It is abhorrently prideful for us to think we may have made better choices when faced with similar circumstances.
Paul reminds us of this again in Romans, a book that focuses largely on the doctrines of our faith.
But where our doctrine is made practical is in chapters 12-15.
Paul has a lot to say about how we treat one another, stressing that we ought to view ourselves through the lens of humility.
Romans 12:3 The Message
3 I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.
Romans 12:14-16 The Message
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
2. A Considerate Person Thinks of Others’ Interests, Not Just His Own (Philippians 2:4)
Jesus modeled this perfectly.
It was not in His best interest to lay aside His glory, be made in the likeness of a human, live and minister in the midst of our nonsense, suffer and die unjustly.
He acted first in the interests of His Father as He fulfilled the eternal covenant, secondly in the interest of all humanity who needed forgiveness, redemption.
Matthew 16:21-23 The Message
You’re Not in the Driver’s Seat
21-22 Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him into his hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!”
23 But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”
Just after this exchange, Jesus says those who wish to be His disciples must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him – the very essence of putting others’ interests, and more importantly, God’s interests, at the forefront of our words and actions – Luke says this must be done everyday.
Paul exhibited this characteristic later in Philippians 2, when he willingly sent Epaphroditus to the Philippian church for their benefit and promised to send Timothy later.
It was in his personal interest and well-being to keep his friends and co-workers nearby, so they could visit him in prison and see to his needs.
Instead, he first considered the needs and well-being of the believers first, and set aside his own interests.
Philippians 2:19-21 English Standard Version
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
3. A Considerate Person Understands and Bears with the Weaknesses of Others (Philippians 1:18-26)
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
To Live Is Christ
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Romans 15:1 English Standard Version
The Example of Christ
15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Paul had an internal struggle as he sat in prison.
On the one hand, it would be far easier and better for him if the Romans decided to end his life.
He would escape the hardships and persecution that followed him everywhere he preached and taught the gospel and would receive the heavenly rewards he knew awaited him in the presence of Jesus.
On the other hand, he knew that God had called him to take the gospel to the Gentiles, and that those who believed and would come to believe, needed the teaching and encouragement, needed Christ’s sacrifice, he was gifted to share.
Ultimately, it was God who would determine the length of his life, but in his heart, Paul willingly surrendered to the harder path out of consideration for others – ultimately he chose to thank God, He chose to not just please himself.
4. A Considerate Person Gives Room for God to Work (Philippians 1:3-6)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
An understanding that God is at work in a person’s heart allows us to be patient and considerate with others.
We think before we judge, weighing our words carefully so as not to get in the way of what God might be doing.
An example is when and how we address issues with brothers and sisters in Christ, or with unbelievers, reading, searching the scriptures, praying diligently for the Holy Spirit to give us the proper degree, measure of wisdom and grace.
It also means we see our actions have a direct impact on how others view Jesus.
If we are impatient and inconsiderate, it reflects badly on Jesus, whose name we bear as a professing Christian.
Choosing to give into God before ourselves, considerate and unselfish towards others, reveals that we are different because of the work God has 1st done in us.
As we strive to better exhibit the character traits of a considerate person, let us remember the root meaning: to consider.
Thoughtful relationships are built on a commitment to think more, be more like Christ everyday, humble ourselves to be quick to hear and slow to speak out of consideration for the needs, interests, and weaknesses of others, knowing that God may be doing a work we cannot see – God is fulling His purpose through us.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 147:7-11 English Standard Version
7 Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
make melody to our God on the lyre!
8 He covers the heavens with clouds;
he prepares rain for the earth;
he makes grass grow on the hills.
9 He gives to the beasts their food,
and to the young ravens that cry.
10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
11 but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Father, teach me to love your family as you do. I get so caught up and distracted with my own world and my own problems that I forget to notice those who are hurting around me. Help me to grow more aware and more attuned to those needs so you may minister through me. In the exalted and powerful name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 