Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Today pur focus will be on this powerful admonition
contained in Philippians 2:3. First and foremost, let us focus on the first
part of the verse, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory."
Strife and vainglory can be seen as synonyms for discord and pride. The Holy
Scripture advises us not to undertake any action, not to say any word that
could potentially incite strife or reflect our own pride or ego. Our actions
and words should never be driven by the hunger for power, recognition, or
selfish ambitions. Instead, they should always spring from a place of love,
humility, and service to both God and our fellow human beings.
The scripture further instructs us in the latter half of the
verse to "in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves." It is a divine directive for us to adopt an attitude of
humility and selflessness. Contrary to the voices in our world that tell us to
look out primarily for ourselves, our faith calls us to value others over
ourselves. This is not an instruction to devalue our worth but rather an
invitation to recognize and appreciate the inherent worth of others.
In practical terms, this translates to listening more than speaking, understanding more than being understood, and loving more than being loved. It means acknowledging that we do not have a monopoly on knowledge or virtue, and that every person, no matter their background or circumstances, has something valuable to teach us. Above all, we should avoid putting down others in order to lift ourselves up: listen to people with differing opinions and consider their views could actually be more valid than our own, rather than always fighting your view, to prove them wrong.
As we seek to embrace this divine wisdom, it is important
for us to check the motivation behind our actions. Are we driven by love or by
selfish ambition? By humility or by pride? By a desire to serve others or to be
served? As we delve into these words, we may ask ourselves, why humility? What
does it mean to value others above ourselves, and how does this shape our
Christian walk?
Humility, dear friends, is not about self-deprecation or
denying our worth. True humility is recognizing the divine image in each of us
and choosing to honour that sacred spark in others as much as, if not more
than, ourselves. It is to emulate our Lord Jesus Christ, who, despite being in
the form of God, "did not count equality with God a thing to be
grasped" (Philippians 2:6).
When Paul urges us to do nothing out of selfish ambition or
vain conceit, he challenges us to confront the human tendency to exalt
ourselves, often at the expense of others. In our race to be first, we
sometimes lose sight of the Christ-like virtue of putting others first. We
forget that in the Kingdom of God, the first shall be last, and the last, first
(Mark 10:31). As believers, we are called to live a countercultural lifestyle
that goes against the grain of a world that extols self-promotion. Instead, we
are to embody an attitude of selfless serving, of valuing others above
ourselves.
But how do we start? We can begin by recognizing the
inherent value in everyone we meet. Each person—no matter their background,
their past, their successes or their failures—is a beloved child of God.
Brethren, what a gamechanger it would be if we started treating each other as
such!
From here, we can carry forward this spirit of humility in
the small acts we do every day. Let us offer our time, our understanding, and
our unconditional love to the people around us. Let us listen more, affirm
more, and be present more in the lives of others. Keep in mind, this is no easy
task. Living with humility requires courage, patience, and an overflowing love.
But know you are not alone. As we pursue this journey of humility, we have the
perfect example in Christ Jesus, and the comforting presence of the Holy
Spirit.
In our daily conduct, let us remember to carry this spirit
of humility and selfless service. Whether you are a posting or commenting, in
agreement or offended, esteem others better than yourselves. Let our actions
emanate not from strife or vainglory, but from a pure heart and a lowly
mindset. The church should be a place where love, respect, and humility
prevail.
In conclusion, dear friends, let us strive to imbibe these
virtues, these divine exhortations into our lives. It may be challenging, but
remember that with God, all things are possible. We have been given the perfect
example in Jesus Christ, who, though being God, humbled Himself to take the
form of a servant. Let us seek His grace to help us as we aspire to walk in His
footsteps.