Young People's Group

Spiritual Perspective and Approach

by Mitchell Tan
May 09, 2018

PAUL’S LOWLY PERSPECTIVE TOWARDS SELF

From the onset of Paul’s letter to Philippians, he adopted a very humble perspective of himself. He saw himself as only a bondservant.

“Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ …”
Philippians 1:1

He was very conscious of the Lord Jesus as his Master and Lord. From day one, when he met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, he started regarding Him as Lord (Acts 26:15). This was the great Lord who had called him to be a minister and a witness for Him. And Paul was not disobedient to the heavenly vision that he had been given (Acts 26:19). He belonged to the Lord Jesus and had sought to serve Him as His bondservant. There was a special sense of love and commitment to the Lord Jesus. This was his constant perspective of himself in life and in ministry. This was also the only time that Paul addressed himself and Timothy as bondservants of Jesus Christ in his opening address in an epistle. The reason was because his perspective that they were only bondservants and the practice of oneness in ministry would be crucial in this epistle. Young people, let’s learn to have this perspective that we are only bondservants of Christ.

PAUL’S GOOD APPROACH TOWARDS OTHERS

“… To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons”
Philippians 1:1

Our perspective of self would determine how we would approach others. If we were to have a proud view of self, then our approach towards others would be one of looking down on them. Paul, even though he was a great apostle, saw himself as only a “slave” of Christ. He had a high regard for his fellow Christians. He sought to honour them.

1. PAUL’S HIGH REGARD FOR THE PHILIPPIAN CHRISTIANS

The word “Saints” in the Greek has the idea of “holy ones”. They have been specially set apart in the Lord Jesus. It is through their faith in Him that they had been justified. They have all been declared righteous in the sight of the Lord. As such, Paul’s approach to them is unchangeable. They were all considered by him as “saints”.

2. PAUL’S HIGH REGARD FOR THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH

A. BISHOPS

Paul also recognised the various offices held by the leaders in the Church. The bishops were with reference to supervisory leaders in the Church. A bishop is more like a senior pastor who is an overseer of the Lord’s people. He seeks to look after the church of God.

B. DEACONS

There are also the deacons of the church. They are those who serve the Lord with reference to the various menial and yet important ministries of the church. The use of the “with” and the “and” denote the idea that the leaders of the Church are to work together as one within the Church. They too are meant to have this approach of a bondservant and to minister together as a team.

Paul’s perspective of self determined the way he approached and regarded the Philippian Christians. Let’s also learn from him in having a humble perspective of self that we may have a high regard for each other. Let’s learn to work together with the leaders of the Church and with one another.

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