The Balancing Act - Or Not!

Philippians 1:20-2:30
(MP3) (Video)
 
How do you balance doing your job, service for Christ, caring for your family, taking care of yourself, and just enjoying life?
 
Considering the context of Paul's 2nd missionary journey and his house arrest in Rome after his 3rd missionary journey, we see his purpose for the Philippians as  the main thrust of Philippians 1:27-30.
In the midst of our daily concerns, uncertainties and struggles, our call is to live a life worthy of the gospel and to stand firm in the one spirit, well-grounded on the truth.
 
The Right Attitude

• Philippians 2:3-5 encourages a willingness to serve others unselfishly and sacrificially. The stark contrast is the problem of selfishness common everywhere. Our struggle is trying to balance between 'my interests' and 'someone else' interests'. Paul makes the connection between the interests of Christ and those of others.

 
Role-models of sacrificial service for others

1. Paul – put the interests of others ahead of his own. Being imprisoned for the spread of the gospel, he could see the benefits of death, yet he chose to continue in life, in spite of his suffering, for the sake of fruitful service (Phil. 1:20-26).
2. Jesus – humbled himself as a servant, was sent to announce the Gospel and died for it. Paul taught the Philippians to have the same mindset that Jesus did (Phil. 2:5-8).
3. Timothy – "took a genuine interest in the wellbeing" of others and proved it by his action (Phil. 2:19-23). Paul sent him back home to serve the Ephesian church, and now called him to go and serve the Philippian church.
4. Epaphroditus – cared passionately from his heart and proved it by action, in practical services to Paul and his fellow disciples of Christ (Phil. 2:25-30).

 
In the midst of our common daily struggles between competing demands in our life, the real problem is often our own selfishness and bad attitude toward others.
In following those role-models of sacrificial service for others, there is indeed not supposed to be a balance between our selfish cares and our call to selflessly serve others.
We are called to throw ourselves out for the welfare of others.
 
 
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