Joy RulesNäide

A few verses ago in Philippians 2, we looked to Jesus as our example of humility. He shows us what our attitude should be. Paul gets specific with what following Jesus’ example will look like practically for us.

In the first few verses, Paul emphasizes how powerful the church’s example can be. The Message paraphrase reads, “Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.” Take a moment to self-assess.

• Are your friendships and relationships with your Christian friends a bright reflection of Jesus’ example?
• Is there any behavior you need to stop or start?

In the final verses of this section, Paul acknowledges the very real threat of execution that he is facing, and yet he sees it as an opportunity for joy.

• How do you think the Christians in Phillipi would have reacted to Paul’s joy in these difficult circumstances?
• How do you react to this?

Pause and talk to God about what you noticed in today’s verses.

Practice: Who is someone you view as a spiritual mentor? If you’re able, send them a note of appreciation for the ways they have impacted you. If you can’t reach out to them for some reason, find a friend with whom you can share a bit about their impact on you.