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19th December 2024
ThursdayReflection
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'David Platt'
'serves as a Lead Pastor for McLean Bible Church'
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A Call to Selflessness
Let each of you look, not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
..... Philippians 2:4
What a simple verse followed by one of the most majestic passages in all of the Bible. (v6)
Our Lord, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness.
So we see this picture of the love, the grace, the self-sacrifice of Jesus, and it follows on this exhortation, really a variety of practical exhortations in the beginning of Philippians 2, but specifically here in verse 4
And look out for one another's interests, not just for your own.
This is who Jesus is.
This is what Jesus has done for us.
He's looked to our interests.
Just soak that in for a second, how Jesus looks to your interests, that Jesus gave his life for your salvation and not just in the past, looked to your interests.
He, today, lives to intercede for you, lives to provide you and me with everything we need.
Even now, he is looking to our interests.
So, with the Spirit of Jesus inside of us, what does it look like for you and I today to look not only to our own interests but also to the interests of others?
That'll change your perspective on your day.
Just look at the people you interact with today, and as you see them, think,
"What are their interests?
What is good for them?
What would be pleasing to them?"
Obviously, in ways that accord with God's word, and to say,
"I want to look out for them today.
I want to serve them today.
I want my posture toward others to be one of looking out for others' interests."
And can we just confess the obvious?
This is not natural to us.
We naturally look out for ourselves.
What is natural to us is to make decisions, to have thoughts, desires about what is best for us, and so we pray, God, we want Philippians 2:4 to mark our lives.
Philippians 2:5, "Have this mind among yourselves," which is yours in Christ Jesus.
God, we pray for this mind, for this attitude, for this heart, for this desire to look out for others' interests, even above our own.
Jesus, we praise you for looking out for our interests.
We praise you for leaving your throne and glory, and coming to us, and living among us, and dying for us, and rising from the grave, ascending into heaven, sending your Spirit, and today, for how you are looking out for our interests.
All glory be to your name, Jesus, God, for looking to our interests.
So, God, we pray that by the power of your Spirit in us, the Spirit of Jesus, help us today to look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.
God, help us to love our neighbours as ourselves, to love the people around us, sacrificially, and generously, and carefully.
Help us to be intentional about seeing the interests of others, and serving them as you serve us.
Oh God, we pray that Philippians 2:4 would mark our relationships with our family members, our friends, with brothers and sisters in Christ, in your church, and with people who are apart from Christ.
God, that you'd help us to look to their interests.
What would be best for them?
God, we pray, all of us, according to your word, and Philippians 2:4 in Jesus's name.
Help us to look not only to our own interests but to the interests of others.
Amen.
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This is an edited version.
The full article and Bible references are avaiable on request
David Platt
serves as a Lead Pastor for McLean Bible Church.
He is also the Founder and Chairman of Radical, an organization that helps people follow Jesus and make him known in their neighbourhood and all nations.
David received his B.A. from the University of Georgia and M.Div., Th.M., and Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Some of his published works include Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, and Don't Hold Back.
He lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with his wife and children.
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