The interests of others

  The interests of others.

The apostle Paul writes,

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4.

It is said that a crisis brings out both the best in people and the worst in people. The covid crisis we are in I believe is proving this especially here in North America where I live.

Many calling themselves Christians are out there shouting “I have my rights!” “I have the right to not wear a mask!” “I have the right to meet without socially distancing.”

Yes an individuals rights are enshrined in both the American and Canadian constitutions. That being said, if we as Christians are worshipping our rights over God there’s a problem.

When we demand our rights at the cost of the rights of others to stay safe or free from covid for instance that is wrong.

The apostle Paul tells us,

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4.

That means that despite having rights, we at times must put the interests of others ahead of our own. If that means wearing something as simple as a mask or social distancing so be it. If that means we have to worship in small groups or over zoom as inconvenient as it may be we should be doing so.

As long as we don’t loose the right to worship then we must be willing temporarily at least, to give up our rights.

As Christians we must always put the rights of others ahead of our own. And that’s not me speaking. That is what the apostle Paul himself tells us.

So what is more important to you, your rights or the interests of others?

Please think about it  

Consider

 Consider 

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus consider the following Scripture written by the apostle Paul.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3. 

In my previous blog post I said Christians have obligations not rights. What the apostle Paul is saying here is one of those obligations.

We are in all humility to consider others better than ourselves.

Never has there been a time in the lifetimes of those living today that this scripture needs to be put into effect. 

We hear in the media people not wanting to wear a mask. People wanting to congregate in large numbers. We hear church in the United States saying it is their right to meet in person without social distancing or wearing a mask in a church building.

In fact we hear a lot about rights and not a lot about our obligation as a believer in Christ Jesus. 

As believers in Christ we have an obligation to “consider others better” than ourselves.

That in the middle of a pandemic means we need to consider what could happen to others if we don’t follow a few simple rules found to be effective.

And here’s a thought to consider. Supposing, just supposing, the members of these large churches during this pandemic practised what the church has done for centuries. Meet in small numbers in homes. Using the internet to live stream their pastors sermon. They could invite family friends and neighbours to fellowship with them. Perhaps even see salvations!

That would potentially put a church in every neighbourhood represented by the church.

Please think about it.

Obligations not Rights

 Obligations not Rights

The apostle John wrote,

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

This is telling me that we as believers in Christ Jesus have an obligation to those around us. If we see someone in need and can help, we should.

Luke’s gospel tells us of a story Jesus told. It’s about Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man had everything he needed in this world. Poor Lazarus would have been happy with the scraps from the mans table. Yet the man had no compassion on him. Finally when they both past into the next world the rich man was suffering for his lack of action in this world, while Lazarus was no longer suffering.

Jesus made things clear when he said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

We have an obligation to those around us. It is something many who would call themselves Christians forget about. Too many people calling themselves Christians say they have rights. Christians don’t have rights. The only rights Christians have are the rights granted to them by the government of the country in which they live. Governments who can change their minds at any time.

As Christians have obligations to our God, our family and to those around us. We have an obligation to proclaim the gospel message AND to help those in need anyway we can.

Please think about it.