Ponder this verse from the New Testament:
Philippians 2:4, “Look out for one another’s interests, not just your own.”
If you want a counter-cultural verse, that’s it. In America, the general idea is that it is all about me. It’s all about my needs, my interest, my wants, my desires, my ambitions. And what about others? Forget them!
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Yet, in those places where people have found the value of "community" and "relationships" and caring for others, there is power!
Haven’t we all seen those Neighborhood Watch signs? The message is, in this neighborhood, we look out for each other.
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My guess is if you went on vacation this summer, you probably told your neighbor, “I'm going to be gone for a couple weeks. Would you mind keeping an eye on my stuff?”
A more important question than: Is anybody watching out for your stuff? Is the question: Is anybody watching out for your soul.
Your soul is more important than your stuff. Is there anybody in your life who helps you stay on track spiritually?
Is there anybody who loves you enough to say,
“I'm not going to let you stay discouraged.
I'm not going to let you drop out of church.
I'm not going to let you quit in your sobriety.
I'm here with you.
Let me support you.”
That is someone who has your spiritual back.
Hebrews 13:1, “Keep being concerned about each other as the Lord’s followers should.”
As members of God’s family, I should defend you and you should defend me. I help you stay on track spiritually and you help me stay on track spiritually.
Ecclesiastes 4:12, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Here’s my question. Is there anyone watching your back? Is there anyone who’s watching out for your spiritual welfare?
Ecclesiastes 4:10, “If one person falls, another can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble.”
Brad Johnson is Pastor of California Community Church in Agoura Hills, CA. The church currently meets in the ballroom of the Sheraton Hotel each Sunday at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM. www.californiacommunitychurch.com
