Aloha and good morning wherever you may find yourself today. I hope this message brings you encouragement and a tinge of entertainment.
This week we began a study of the Book of Philippians. An immediate shift in tone is evident from Paul's previous letters and it's hard not to get wrapped up in his joy. Although imprisoned for his beliefs, Paul is bubbling with enthusiasm and rejoicing because of the faithfulness of the Philippians. Paul spends the majority of Chapter 1 on the topic of love and offers some powerful assertions. His personal example reminds us that regardless of circumstance, we can maintain a good attitude and make a positive impact on our world.
“So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.”
You'll remember when questioned Jesus replied the most important commandments centered on love of both God and others. Love should therefore be a focal point for our lives. However, Paul offers the important clarification that it's, "not [some] sentimental gush." So what exactly are we tasked with?
I think it's fair to say that we have all been in love, or at least what we thought was love once. It's not difficult for us to become enamored/infatuated with someone. Unchecked this infatuation leaves us in a semi-stupor which is a dangerous place to build the foundation of a lasting relationship. Paul's encouragement is to use our mind to test these feelings. He understands the overwhelming power of love and therefore urges us to be discerning with who we put our full trust in. We are called to love people but not in a blind and reckless manner, fully trusting everyone we engage with. We are given the fine example of Jesus life to mimic: Jesus loved people but only put his full trust in a small group within the disciples. We should follow this example, loving people but still guarding our hearts. Most of us have experienced the pain when we have let someone closer than we should.
Paul also beautifully captures a truth about motives:
“It’s true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they’ll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I’m out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.
So how am I to respond? I’ve decided that I really don’t care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!”
Paul, imprisoned, is being marginalized by those around him. Some for their own selfish ambition, some because they have truly pure motives. However, Paul tells us he doesn't care what their motive may have been because in the end God is being glorified. I think this thought possess an even grander application. We live in what seems a senseless time that is marked by misguided motives leading to suffering in so many ways. However, these acts and pain don't define us, we won't allow them to. Instead we rise above them, and out of each of these scenarios comes a story of amazing people who typified the love Paul is driving us toward. Ultimately, they had an amazing impact despite the motive someone had acted on. Out of even the most impure motives, God can still manifest good.
Finally, Paul's outlook lends a great perspective to aspire to:
“Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose.”
This world is filled with uncertainty and tomorrow is never promised. As a result we can either wall ourselves in and live as safe a life as possible to mitigate danger, or we can understand that this is not the end and live victoriously. Paul reminds us that even if the worst should happen in this life, we will find ourselves redeemed. We are called to live, to interact, to experience, not to isolate ourselves and live in fear.
Our practical application this week is threefold: 1. Live a life marked by love for those around you while still guarding your heart 2. Don't be dismayed by others ulterior motives, God will still be glorified, and 3. Don't live in fear but secure in the knowledge that this life is not the end.
I hope you have a great week and an opportunity to share an abundance of love. Share with a friend, subscribe, and like the post.
-the contrary disciple