Sunday Bible Thoughts [3.2.2025]
The idea of putting yourself first, is antithetical to the Good News of Jesus. Paul in Philippians 2 spells out our way forward for those who follow Jesus:
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:1-11 NIV
Aligning ourselves in a political movement that says, “we need to put ourselves first” cannot be understood to be Christian as Christians have been called to value others above ourselves. “America first” is anti-Christ in its approach. Sadly, too many folks who identify as followers of Jesus have aligned themselves with this movement.