This week's scripture is found in Phililippians 2:4, Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but the interest of others. (NIV)
What are your interests at this time in your life? I know that our daughter has a an interest in caring for her 2 children who are 2 1/2 and 6 weeks old. Her husband's interest is for his family and keeping the job God provided for him so that he can care for his family. Their combined interests are to be people of God that place their true identity in Jesus Christ and remembering the gospel of the cross on which He died for humanity. We as believers are living under the power and gift of GRACE. Do their interests influence my thought process? Yes and I praise the Lord for how they desire to live!
What about other people that do not have a desire to walk with the Lord? Do their interests influence how we react to them as individuals? Do we look down on people that do not have the same interests as we may have? Maybe it is family member, a friend, a co-worker, or others of a different religion. What should our attitude be towards others? I am reminded of another scripture that Paul wrote regarding genuine care for humanity and that he tried to value another person's life as Jesus Christ values all life. Jesus died because all humanity sinned and turned their back on God. The Bible teaches us that there was a falling away of man towards God and it is true today. People are not interested in God and having a relationship. Without the power of the Holy Spirit drawing them to the truth of His reality they will never know Him. It make take a tragedy, or several tragedies for people to see the wisdom of having a realtionship with God. I have often said that God is a God of absolute love, but He is a God of wrath, too. We cannot no longer sugar coat our accountibility to God and our own personal sin that causes Him grief. When we become accountible to Him daily with a postive attitude as found in Phil 4:8, praise Him as found in Psalms 145:1-3 and now take on the attitude of being interested in other people's attributes as found in Phil 2:4, we begin to witness the Holy Spirit working through our life to reach people living in darkness. Please remember it is the Holy Spirit in us that draws people to GRACE and the light of Jesus Christ. When we renew our mind to the wisdom of what the scriptures tells us we are transformed into a flickering candle that may light a person's heart.
Going back to scripture that Paul wrote: 1 Corthinthians10:31-33, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God, Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (NIV)
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