Considering Others: How to Love Like Jesus in a Divided World

Feeling the tension between Jesus’ call to love others and the painful realities of division, injustice, and misuse of power? This episode with Pastor Jackie Flake invites you into Philippians 2:1–8 to see how Christlike humility can reshape how we relate to one another—especially across racial, social, and political lines. Description Angela continues her Black History Month series with longtime friend and pastor Jackie Flake to walk through Philippians 2:1–8 and the call to an “other‑centered” life. They connect Paul’s words about the privilege of both believing in Christ and suffering with Him to Black history, systemic injustice, and everyday discipleship. Jackie draws on the example of Jesus, who laid aside status to serve and suffer, and on voices like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman, who chose to enter into the suffering of others. Together, Angela and Jackie talk about our temptation to avoid hard stories, the danger of dehumanizing language, and the importance of remembering that every person—friend or enemy, powerful or oppressed—is made in the image of God. Jackie shares how leading a diverse church and cultivating deep, diverse friendships has shown him that real love requires humility, proximity, and a willingness to listen. If you’ve struggled to love people who are different from you or who use their power poorly, this conversation will point you back to Jesus and invite you to a life of courageous, other‑centered humility. Episode Highlights Angela and Jackie unpack Jesus “emptying Himself” by laying aside status to become a servant and obey to the point of death on a cross. Jackie connects Christ’s humility to historical figures who chose to suffer with others, including Dr. King, Bonhoeffer, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman. They clarify that Christian unity is not sameness but having the same mindset and love in Christ across real differences. Jackie describes how pastoring a truly diverse church exposed how much humility is required when people’s backgrounds and stories differ. They talk about our default self‑centeredness—not plotting harm, but simply not considering others—and how that shapes our responses to injustice. Jackie references Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail” and “The Drum Major Instinct” to show how the desire to be first and central resists humility. They explore curiosity that is rooted in humility (wanting to understand a person’s story) versus curiosity that is just about consumption. Angela and Jackie emphasize the foundational truth that every human being bears God’s image and deserves dignity, even when their actions are sinful or harmful. They discuss how dehumanizing language paves the way to treat people as problems to be removed rather than image‑bearers to be honored. Jackie names the place for righteous anger and active resistance to injustice while still seeing oppressors as accountable image‑bearers, not monsters. They highlight that love requires proximity—getting close enough to see, listen, and be moved, not just holding opinions from a distance. Jackie shares how diverse, Jesus‑centered friendships have deepened his empathy and respect as he hears stories he never would have assumed. He sums up the call of Philippians 2 as a life of Christlike other‑centeredness that looks like loss now but leads to resurrection and glory. Jackie closes by praying for listeners to be empowered by the Spirit to live this other‑centered, humble way of Jesus.   Great Quotes “We don’t like suffering, and we sure don’t like suffering with others if we can avoid it.” “Unity is not uniformity.” “The more different people are, the more humility is required.” “Most of us aren’t out to get the other person. We just don’t consider them at all.” “Love has to be demonstrated in proximity.” “Arrogant people are the most ignorant people because arrogant people refuse to listen to anybody else.” Resources Mentioned Scripture Philippians 1:29–30 Philippians 2:1–8 Genesis 1:26–27 Deuteronomy 6:5 (alluded) 1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 Mark 10:45 Historical figures/works Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – “Letter from Birmingham Jail”; “The Drum Major Instinct.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Sojourner Truth. Harriet Tubman. Mahatma Gandhi (influence on non‑violence). Related Episodes Even When It Looks Like It’s Over (with Laura Acuna)  Grace That Overcomes Our Brokenness (with Julie Sanders on Romans 5:20–21)  Running with Endurance (with Dr. Whit Jordan on Hebrews 12:1–2)  The Lord My Rock and Deliverer (with Shelley Picard on Psalm 18:2)   Free Devotional & Newsletter For ongoing encouragement to live all of life as worship, you can get a free devotional and regular updates from Angela by subscribing to th Life as Worship newsletter here.