The passage for May is Philippians 2:1-11:
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others as more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (ESV)
If you are new to this reading plan, follow the instructions on the right side of this page or click here to read the "Why Just One Letter" introduction article.
Throughout each month, we will post short articles to give some depth of understanding regarding our text (see the archive links on the lower right of this page for review). Today we will discuss...
Living For Others Is NOT The Same As Being A Doormat
Since denying SELF and living for the good of others is a staple theme in the Christian life, I often advise people to move into that direction when working with married couples, or couples who are soon-to-be-married, or people struggling with parent/child conflict, or workplace personality disputes, or inner-church arguments or really, just about every other area into which I am asked to speak.
This is because, except for cases of abuse, nearly all other conflict that I encounter as a pastor involves both sides fighting for their place on the top of the hill. Fighting for their rights instead of the other’s good. Striving for recognition, respect or (sometimes) revenge.
Good words of advise are summed up in what we’ve already covered this month:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others as more significant than yourselves.
And Paul is not covering new ground in this teaching. Jesus taught the pharisees not to jockey for the first place at the table, but to take a humble posture (better to be elevated to a better seat latter, than asked to step down from a place you don’t belong {Luke 14}).
And Jesus had to correct His disciples who weren’t listening to His teaching about the cross, but instead were arguing over whom would be His right hand man, who would be greatest in His Kingdom (Luke 9:44-48).
But, with all of that said, at least once a year, someone scoffs or yells and says, “You are just asking me to be a doormat and to let people walk all over me!”
That is NOT what I'm saying. That is NOT the biblical call on your life. Living For Others Is NOT The Same As Being A Doormat.
The call in this scripture is to give the same baseline of love, respect and patience that you would hope for from others if things were reversed.
Oftentimes we think the worst of other people's intentions and then we get mad if they misinterpret our motivations.
We hold a grudge when we are hurt, but wonder why people can’t just “let it go” or “get over it” when we’ve been the one in the wrong.
Our patience quickly runs out for someone else who just can’t get right in an area of behavior or understanding, but we expect others to hold their horses while we try to modify our behavior or wrap our minds around a new concept.
And on and on.
Paul isn’t teaching us to neglect our needs and sacrifice everything for others. No, he starts with us taking care of us, but then simply adds - don’t forget about others:
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
So what does this look like in real life?
This may seem too simple. You may want something deeper and more meaty. You might want a much longer article, but it is just this:
“…in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” ~ Jesus (Matthew 7:12)
P.S. - There may be some who read this and thought, “What about ‘Turn the other cheek’? Isn’t Jesus calling us to be Doormats in that teaching?” If you were wondering that, please read these two helpful articles about that passage in relationship to War and in relationship to domestic violence:
