You Before Me

September 20th, 2024

Philippians 2:1-8

One of the characteristics I’ve never understood is when people obviously do not consider others around them. Standing in line and someone jumps ahead. Sitting at a restaurant and the person behind you crowds your space. These actions just do not compute in my mind because I was raised to always consider those around me. How do my actions affect those around me?

Paul encourages the Christians in Philippi to “consider others above yourself” (2:3). This isn’t because it will make all the Christians of Philippi look good to their neighbors, but because it is a product of “being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (v. 2). Being considerate is possible if we are “like-minded” in love and in spirit.

No, this does not mean we are “cookie-cutter” Christians or that we are all brainwashed so we think exactly the same thoughts. Rather, we are so shaped by Christ and His love that we form a community that is immersed in the love of Christ, that values others over self.

Author: Stefanie Hendrickson