A New Competition

We live in a very competitive world. We try to outdo one another, get ahead of each other, and try to carve out attention for ourselves and our opinions. People are often put down or ignored in the quest to come out on top. Competition can be a healthy thing, but not in relationships.

Paul said, “…and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ” (Eph.5:21). After living a life of getting his own way, this apostle bowed to the Lord on the Damascus road (Acts 9) and subjected himself to his fellow apostles (Galatians 2). It saved his soul and ushered him into the encouraging fellowship of the church.

Jacob subjected himself to his brother, Esau, after two decades of estrangement and grudges; it restored a difficult family. Joshua subjected himself to Moses and eventually took his place. David subjected himself to the prophet Nathan, repenting of disturbing sins and getting his life back on track. Subjection is not a sign of weakness, it’s humility solving problems.

It has a lot to do with honouring each other. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honour” (Rom.12:10). A footnote says, “outdo one another in showing honour.” This speaks of the care and regard we are to have towards each other. We extend it to each other in the fear of Christ. If Jesus honoured us by giving His life, we ought to honour each other.

Jesus turns competition up-side-down. Instead of competing for prominence, we outdo one another in showing honour.

Who have you honoured today?

– Tim Johnson

A Colony of Heaven

If you weren’t born Canadian, you probably went through an expensive and complicated process to gain citizenship.  The rights of citizenship are valued around the world, for with it comes all the benefits of the state.  Pride of citizenship motivates a person to appreciate their new country and to live in a way that honours it.

Paul told the Philippian Christians that they possessed citizenship in heaven. (Phil 3:20)  The original language means either the state itself, or the rights of belonging to it.  Thus some versions of the New Testament use the word “commonwealth.”  One version says, “We are a colony of heaven.” (Moffat)  No doubt this thought is what the Philippians gathered from Paul’s words. Continue reading