So
if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any
participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being
of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own
interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among
yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of
God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself
nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And
being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point
of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and
bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every
tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore,
my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but
much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do
all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and
innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted
generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the
word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in
vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon
the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
I
hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be
cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely
concerned for your welfare. They all seek their own interests, not those of
Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father
he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon
as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself
will come also.
I
have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow
worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he
has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he
was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not
only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the
more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again,
and that I may be less anxious. (ESV)
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in this study.
This reading is taken from 30
Scripture Readings for New Christians. The complete book can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005KYN34Q
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright © 2001,
Wheaton: Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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