Explore the Bible: Joy through Humility

• The Explore the Bible lesson for Sept.19 focuses on Philippians 2:1-15.

There is a certain kind of disease that affects churches and seeks to divide the membership. Paul calls this disease “acts of the flesh.” Here are a few, taken from the Galatians 5:19-2—sexual immorality, idolatry, rage, selfish ambition and envy. Paul warns the church that these acts will prevent individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God. If these acts (sins) are not handled quickly, the chance of spreading throughout the church will be devasting to the membership.

Paul was concerned about the believers in Rome and warned them to “be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil” (Romans 16:17-19). These people are not in relationship with God and only concerned about themselves.

Our churches are experiencing a virus pandemic. When safeguards were not put in place, the virus spread and infected the membership. In the same way, sin has a way of spreading, infecting others. God’s plan is to redeem people from sin, cleanse them and restore them to their rightful purpose on earth and in eternity.

United with Christ (Philippians 2:1-11)

I remember when my kids were teens, especially one of them, determined to put themselves first at all costs. According to Erik Erickson’s theory of psychosocial development, adolescent stage identity and role confusion occurs (ages 12-18). This is the stage in which the ego identity is developed, and the teen is moving from dependence to a degree of independence. Our job as parents was to ensure that we gave our kids enough space and time to understand how important thinking of others first would benefit them for a lifetime.

Paul addresses the problems of disunity surfacing in the church. If believers are united with Christ, certainly being uniting with each other should not be a problem. Paul tells them to be “one in spirit and of one mind” (v. 2). Above all, the mindset of Christ Jesus should be expressed in their relationships (v. 5).

The most important lesson we taught to our teens was that Jesus humbled himself, and so should we. Paul illustrates the humility of Jesus, saying, “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on the cross (v. 8). Because of his obedience, God exalted him to the highest place (v. 9). What did James mean when he said, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:10)?

Life in Christ (Philippians 2:12-15)

Based on the instructions of humility shared with the believers in Rome, Paul’s attention now turns to the issue of salvation and how to work out one’s own salvation in confines of relationship with others. There are several quotes on Facebook reminding the Christians about how to treat each other. One in particular is, “Stop posting all those Scriptures on Facebook when you are not living what you are saying.”

Working out your salvation is not possible if there are no relationships with others. God created us to be in relationship with him and others. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:4-5).

Christians should work out their salvation while maturing in Christ as shown through obedience and the faith to trust in him. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Are we striving to work out our salvation with fear and trembling?

Not long ago in one of our Bible studies, we discussed the importance of having reverence for God. One person remembered how the town drunkard bowed when he passed in front of the church. Another recalled how church people had great respect for the preacher. Seemingly, many Christians have lost respect for the church and the preacher, as well and for God.

What a blessed assurance to know we have the greatest role model to guide us into working out our salvation, knowing that it is God working in us to will and work according to his good purpose (v. 13). His good purpose comes without grumbling and arguing (v. 14). God dealt with the murmuring when the Israelites were in the desert. Actually, the murmuring was not against Moses and Aaron, but against God. The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them?” (Numbers 14:11). Paul answers the grumbling and arguing question.

In this crooked and perverted (corrupt) generation, God wants us to shine like stars in the world (v. 15). It is ironic Paul would describe his generation as crooked and perverted, since the present generation may be described in the same way. We appreciate that God is faithful to allow our generation to receive the gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ, allowing us to shine like stars in this dark world.

Margie Clayton is minister of education at Berean Tabernacle Baptist Church in Liberty, Texas.