Sunday 7th July 2024
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 others.
Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)
Me Me Me Now Now Now
I am writing this before the polls close later this evening, so I do not know the result of the General Election (and nor do I intend to speculate).
Earlier this week I heard someone comment that our present culture is one of ‘Me Me Me Now Now Now’ (I am afraid that I do not have the reference). That is, we are most concerned with what will be best for ourselves and our loved ones, and especially in the short term. And our politicians are only too willing to appeal to these desires in the election promises they make (all parties are culpable here).
At one level, what could be more natural than to be concerned for what is best for me, now? But here the gospel of Christ transforms his followers – or at least it should do – so that we now look to the interests of others ahead of our own, and our ultimate focus is on eternity and the world to come, although that will certainly affect the way we live now.
It struck me as an apt way of summing up where our culture is, at least in part. And here we have the opportunity to show the difference that knowing Jesus makes. We of all people should not be living for ourselves, but for others, and not merely for the present.
Yours warmly, in Christ,
Chris Hobbs (Senior Minister)