A Breath Of Fresh Air

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Philippians 2

Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night. (Philippians 2:15 MSG)

Paul had challenged the Christ-followers in Philippi to learn to think like Jesus. He challenged them to be humble, to not be self-promoting, and to serve from the heart – to serve energetically and to worship reverently. Then he said, “First you live it! First you live the Christ-life among yourselves, then you can take it to the streets.”

The simplicity of enthusiastically serving others, of honoring others above self, and of reverence for God creates a sub-culture that’s like a breath of fresh air in our self-consumed society.

In the eyes of many in our society, Christians and the church have acquired a very negative image. We’ve become in so many ways identified by what we’re against rather than by what we’re for. Against that background of negativity, a little pure love and humble service can shine very brightly!

Paul said that if we live rightly with each other and then take that attitude into our business, social, and recreational activities it will provide people with a glimpse of good living and a snapshot of the living God. This kind of simple “living it out” will be the most effective preaching of The Message we can do.

Paul isn’t mixing metaphors as he writes these words to challenge and encourage us to do better. Our message of love and hope is a ray of light in the darkness. Our unconditional love and humble service of others is a breath of fresh air in the midst of an Air-Stagnation Advisory! Let the pure light shine and the fresh breeze blow, for Jesus’ sake!

Prayer:

Father, Paul’s Philippians 2 encouragement to think and act like Jesus, in humility, sacrifice, and service to others always challenges me to look deeply at my motives and my attitude. Today I see that when a group of Christ-followers really lives like this, it is a powerful demonstration of The Message that God is real and Jesus is alive! Help me and my fellow Christians to think, act, and live like Jesus – to carry the light-shining, life-giving Message out into the night.