Communal Learning

Repenting of my own selfish study

I have been challenged by Paul's words in Philippians 2:4:‬

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

As I continue memorizing Philippians, these words (which call the Philippian church to unity at the expense of their own interests) have ran through my mind a thousand times. Paul compares this self-sacrificing lifestyle to the incarnation of Christ, who emptied himself to save all of humanity.

I personally find that meditation of the scriptures comes naturally as one memorized them. You can't help but feel the pressure of the words against your own personal life. How can I be like Christ if I don't empty myself of my own selfish interests and look after the interests of others?

My friend, Joe, has spoken with me multiple times about his on-going study of Baptism. His local church is going through a time of questioning about it and it has become a bit of a dividing issue. Joe has engaged with fellow believers on the opposite side of the aisle in a helpful and thoughtful way, going so far as to write back and forth debates to help think through the issues.

I'm uninterested in the topic, or maybe I should say I'm more interested in other topics, but as Joe recently spoke about it I kept thinking of Paul's words, calling me to put aside my own interests and to join my brother in Christ to study his interest.

I will be posting very short essays on Baptism over the next few months. Much of this will be Historical Theology, but some will be Systematic as well as Biblical. I'm also memorizing all applicable texts in my personal topical study practice and am hoping in the next few months to have all biblical passages related to this topic memorized. This will help me to engage with Joe on multiple levels and help him as he continues to work with his own church.

I also have a sneaking suspicion that it will help me much more than it will help him.