pratical living

Whenever Paul wrote to any group of followers of Jesus in any given city, he always included some pretty practical, down to earth instructions on how to live in the heathen Roman world as a follower of Jesus.

And he also sent them encouragement as to Whom they were connected as Christ followers.

Paul gives some pretty simple instruction & encouragement in these 11 verses from the 2^nd chapter of his letter to the Christ followers in Philippi.

Philippians 2

1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?

Any comfort from his love?

Any fellowship together in the Spirit?

Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other,

loving one another,

and working together with one mind and purpose.

  3 Don't be selfish;

don't try to impress others.

Be humble,

thinking of others as better than yourselves.

4 Don't look out only for your own interests,

but take an interest in others, too.

  5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

  he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

  and gave him the name above all other names,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.