Do Nothing Out Of Selfish Ambition Or Vain Conceit, Rather In Humility, Value Others Above Yourselves
Life Is More Than What We Eat
PHILIPPIANS 2:3-5
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,”
Philippians 2:3-5 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/php.2.3-5.nkjv
Being humbled, involves having a true perspective about ourselves (see ROMANS 12:3).
That is not to say we should put ourselves down, but we shouldn’t see ourselves as better than others.
Before God, we are all sinners, saved only by God's grace; but we are saved nevertheless, and therefore have great worth in God's Kingdom.
We are to lay aside all selfishness and treat others with respect and common courtesy.
Being considerate to others' interest and making them just as important as our own, links us with Christ, who is a true example of humility.
Selfishness within church brings division and collapse, but genuine humility will build it.
Philippi was a cosmopolitan city.
The composition of the church reflected great diversity, with people from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life.
Acts 16 gives us some indication of the diverse makeup of this church. The church included Lydia, a Jewish convert from Asia and a wealthy business women (ACTS 16:14); the slave girl (ACTS 16:16-17), probably a native Greek; and the jailer serving this colony of the empire, probably a Roman (ACTS 16:25-36).
With so many different back grounds among the members, unity has been difficult to maintain and because of self and corruption has gradually been lost over the years.
Today, the time has come to reunite the church as one body; to reveal the truth to those who have been deceived, to get them on the right track, and to separate the chaff from the wheat, removing false religious leaders and false prophets out from among the true believers, so that God’s body of people can operate in true unity. “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.”
Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV
After all “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV
Unity must be reestablished and safeguarded. Paul encourages us to guard against any jealousy, selfishness, and prejudice that might lead to dissension.
Showing genuine interest in others is a positive step toward maintaining unity among believers.
Jesus Christ, the King of all Kings, and Lord of all Lords, was truly humble, willing to give up his divine privileges as God (PHILIPPIANS 2:6) in order to obey God and serve people.
Like Christ, we should have a servant's heart, an attitude of service out of Love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear, or personal gain; for “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” And yet ready to work together in unity like a well oiled machine for the glory of God.
I Corinthians 12:27 NKJV
My beloved, there is nothing that good in this temporary life, except to bring the lost to salvation.
Jesus said, “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.””
Mark 8:34-38 NKJV
Life isn’t about life style, what we eat or drink, or what house we live in , or what car we drive, or about where we spend our holidays, those temporary things shall pass, for the best is yet to come.
Paul said, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”
Philippians 1:15-26 NKJV
My beloved, like Paul, our life’s priorities are to serve Christ. Therefore, “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”
Matthew 10:5-10 NKJV
For God Himself shall provide all your needs within your calling.
“”Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
Matthew 10:11-15 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever. Amen!
