“…and they loved not their lives unto the death.”


How do we live like this? Living without loving our lives? It is only possible if we love the life, the lives of others.


Phi 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phi 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Phi 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

The bible was written without punctuation marks, and capital letters. The above appeared in Greek somewhat as:

let nothing be done through strife or vainglory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves not looking every man on his own things but every man also on the things of others let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus

We tend to isolate the ideas of the scriptures by considering them as separated from one another. The (punctuated) phrases, sentences, and the verse numbers, paragraphs and chapters are all arguably not inSpired. Notwithstanding we must do better in connecting the divine ideas of scripture to each other, seeing the whole as well as the part.

So it is clear (to me) that the mind of Christ is that we love others, and that we love them as Jesus loves us, by laying down our lives for others. The alternative is a life of self absorption, narcissism and idolatry. Looking on the things of others means we are concerned for the well being of others, not in ignorance of our own needs, but before and above our own needs. We let the decency and order of our worship extend into our everyday affair, making sure there are none of others of us unloved, or unserved, according to their need. This will not mean only the provision of food and raiment, but also their equipping for the ministry. Just as a starving man is of little use, so is a man starving for heavenly wisdom, knowledge, and vision. And even those provided for spiritually and materially fat will turn in on themselves, and on each other, destroying the work, if they do not learn charity, and that as Jesus our Lord said and says: it is more blessed to give than to receive.

The ministry is simply to provide for the material needs of the poor, the widow (in deed), and the orphan. It flows from and follows our edification in the Word, Will and Way of God.

and let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we do not faint we have therefore opportunity therefore let us do good unto all men especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Gal 6:9,10

Father, please favor us to grow and succeed in and for Thy Son, Jesus our Lord, amen.

© 2007 David Severy 4.26.07