May 29, 2000
FAMILY BIBLE SERIES:
Fruit is not for the tree, but to share with others
___Philippians 2:1-18
___By Bubba Stahl
___First Baptist Church, Boerne
___The lessons this month focus upon Christian characteristics that reveal the reality of Jesus Christ in our lives. When these characteristics are developed in our lives, others benefit from them. Fruit is not for the tree; it is for the gardener to share with others.
___Sometimes we mistakenly think we need love, joy, peace, patience or one of the other fruits of the Spirit. What we need is to abide in Christ and then in him we experience all ofthe fruit but only as we share it with others. Humility is one of the fruits that grows in our lives when we abide in Christ. Others benefit from it.
___In Philippians 2:1-18, Paul gives instruction, an example and encouragement for believers to follow in developing humility in their lives.
___He first identifies humility (2:1-4) by revealing it is best seen in the body of Christ among others. Paul contrasts humility with "selfish ambition or vain conceit" (2:3). He then says that "in humility" a person will be considerate of others and concerned for others (2:4). It would be easy to be humble if there were not anyone else around! Like the man who said, "I love the ministry; it is the people that I can't stand!"
___In verses 5-11, Paul gives the supreme example of humility with one of the hymns that is believed to have been sung among the early followers of Christ. It is a hymn of the person and work of Christ. In it we find phrases such as "emptied himself ... taking the nature of a servant ... humbled himself ... became obedient even unto death." Jesus shows us what humility looks like and acts like. We are the ones who benefit from the humility of Jesus.
___The problem we have is that we are not willing to empty ourselves, humble ourselves or take on the role of a servant. No wonder there are so many unresolved conflicts causing divisions among us! A companion passage to this one is found in James 3:13-18, where we find humility contrasted with "bitter envy ... selfish ambition ... disorder ... and every evil practice." One of the main reasons the fruit of humility is so sparse in our lives is because we do not want to share what we have received with others. The desire to bless others is at the heart of understanding humility.
___We withhold one of the most abundant blessings in our lives, forgiveness, from others and freeze the bloom of humility before it can mature into fruit for others to enjoy.
___One of the tests for forgiveness is to ask yourself this two-fold question: Who is it in my life that I cannot stand to hear how God is blessing, and who is it that I secretly rejoice when I hear things are not going well for?
___When we repent and forgive, the result will be that others will be blessed and you will "shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life" (2:15).
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