A Breath Of Fresh Air

Reading: Philippians 2; Psalm 112

Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night. (Philippians 2:15 MSG)

Paul had challenged the Christ-followers in Philippi to learn to think like Jesus. He challenged them to be humble, not to be self-promoting, to serve from the heart – to serve energetically and to worship reverently. Then he said, “First you live it! First you live the Christ-life among yourselves, then you can take it to the streets.”

The simplicity of enthusiastic service of others, honoring others above self, and reverence for God creates a sub-culture that’s like a breath of fresh air in our self-consumed society.

Paul said that if we live right with each other and then take that attitude into our business, social, and recreational activities it will provide people with a glimpse of good living and a snapshot of the living God. This kind of simple “living it out” will be the most effective preaching of The Message we can do.

Prayer:

Father, Paul’s Philippians 2 encouragement to think and act like Jesus, in humility, sacrifice, and service to others always challenges me to look deeply at my motives and my attitude. Today I see that if a group of Christ-followers really lives like this, it is a powerful demonstration of The Message that God is real and Jesus is alive! Help me and my fellow Christians to think, act, and live like Jesus – to carry the light-giving Message out into the night.