Tuesday 04 November 2008

Background

(For some background to Paul's letter to the Philippians, read thebeginning of Monday's background notes.)

In this passage, Paul is encouraging the Christians at Philippi (inmodern-day Macedonia) to be the best they can by telling them tohave the same attitudes and values as Jesus Christ. To think like,act like, and seek to achieve the same things that Christ did. Theessence of the advice is: be prepared to sacrifice yourself forother people.

Paul develops the argument by claiming divinity for Jesus. TheChristian Church has used this and similar passages to develop thebelief of the divinity of Jesus. This is one of the beliefs thathelps to distinguish Christianity from other world faiths.

I can just imagine people responding in a negative way to thisadvice... "Easier to say than do." "Easy to do if you are God - butI'm just human." Paul, though, is saying that we should aspire forthe best and that is following the example of the best. Jesus isthe best because he was both human and divine.

To Ponder

Is self-sacrifice always the best example tofollow? Why?

If we aim for perfection, and repeatedly fail,how can we keep on finding inspiration? Should we not seek moremanageable targets, more suited to our own strengths andabilities?

Does the elevation of Jesus to divinity make itharder or easier to believe in him and follow him? Why?