Do you ever walk through life wishing that people would just get along better?  A little less honking and shouting bad words on the road.  Perhaps less fighting and arguing over political issues.  Of course we all wish there was less violence and war.  Philippians 2 spells out the solution to all of this and we can’t fix the world only God can but we can certainly start with our own relationships.  The key is humility and thinking of others before we think of ourselves.  Let’s look at Paul’s words together today. 

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Our natural tendency is always to look to our own needs and interests.  This is why we argue and fight.  We want our way.  If we flip the script in our attitude then our perspective changes.  Maybe it’s not that big of a deal if someone cuts in front of us in line or cuts us off on the road.  Putting others before ourselves is not an easy or simple thing to do but it certainly is a more peaceful way to live.  Find a person who is always calm and peaceful and you will find someone who has figured this out.  It takes a lot to get rattled when you humbly consider others before yourself.  Give it a try.  You just may find it’s the best way to live.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave