Today in God’s Word

Today in God's Word—April 2023

East Tallassee Church of Christ

April 1, Philippians 2

The ugly details of “too good to be true offers” are usually buried in tiny print on the promotional piece. The radio equivalent of fine print is the fast talking at the beginning or end of a commercial. What seems like such a good deal usually isn’t after the fine print or fast talk.

Jesus didn’t hide the deal-breaking details of discipleship in fine print, or wait until potential followers were on board before revealing the demands of following him. He announced it to the crowds: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” A demand for self-denial is the last message most people want to hear. But Jesus put it right up front, without adornment or apology.

Difficult concepts are often simplified by examples. In today’s portion, Paul asked the Philippians to deny self by counting others more significant than themselves, and by looking out for others’ interest as well as their own. He then gave four examples to show what this looked like in real life.

He told them he was willing to be poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial offering of their faith, saying he would rejoice if such a thing happened. He told the Corinthians he died daily, serving the Lord and the church. He told the Romans he could wish himself accursed to win unbelieving Israel to Christ. Paul was willing to sacrifice himself for the spiritual benefit of others. Self-denial and putting others first wasn’t just rhetoric for Paul. He modeled what he taught others to do.

Paul’s next example was Timothy, whom he was sending to Philippi because of his

genuine concern for them. The young man had proven himself alongside Paul in their work for the Lord. Not only would Timothy do a good job on Paul’s behalf, the Philippians would learn from his unselfish example.

Then Paul wrote about Epaphroditus, who had come to Paul from the Philippians. They had been concerned about his health when they heard he was sick. This man was so others-oriented it distressed him for them to know about his illness. He risked his health, in fact almost died, to serve Jesus and his people. Paul bragged on him, and said he wanted to send Epaphroditus back for their good.

But the greatest example of self-denial is Jesus. The one equal with God emptied himself and became a servant. He humbled himself to do the will of God, even dying on a cross. God raised Jesus and exalted him. One day every one will bow and confess before him. But the point Paul made about Jesus in the context is how willing Jesus was to do, in the most unimaginable extreme, the very thing he called his disciples to do—to deny themselves. That’s the attitude Paul wanted us to have about being selfless servants of others for Jesus’ sake.

From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.