Being otherly

Read > Philippians 2:1-11

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too (v. 4).

John and Bessie Gonleh needed help. They had already endured John being gunned by rebels in their native Liberia (he barely survived), years of disease-ridden refugee camps, and the death of three of their children due to regional warfare.

A fellow believer, businessman Bruce Beakley, was returning to the United States from hip replacement surgery in Belgium when he met the Gonlehs in an airport. Touched by their plight, he became a passionate advocate – helping them to relocate in the US and then to be reunited with two of their children who had been detained in Guinea for 3 years.

Bruce has lived out what Paul called the Philippians to do: “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too” (2:4). The apostle was not dealing with just one hurting couple, but a whole congregation facing persecution by others (1:27-30). But much like Bruce’s example, he instructed his fellow believers in Jesus to follow the Saviour’s example and be otherly.

The Saviour’s example of a humble servant is beautifully rendered in the early hymn found in Philippians 2:6-11. To live Jesus’ way requires four things:

·         Unity in Jesus – “Fellowship together in the Spirit” (Philippians 2:1).

·         Sharing in His love – “Loving one another” (v. 2).

·         Humble hearts – “Thinking of others as better than yourselves” (v. 3).

·         Being otherly – “Take an interest in others” (v. 4).

Bruce Beakley could have politely listened to the Gonleh’s story and then flown back to business as usual. Instead, he chose to humble himself and extend God’s love (vv. 2-3). He was otherly. How will you consider others’ interests today? How will you be otherly? – Tom Felten

More >

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them (Romans 12:9).

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How is Jesus’ example the ultimate in otherly living? What keeps you from considering the needs of others?