In
Humility Value Others
Above
Yourselves
Therefore
if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort
from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and
compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same
love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking
to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In
your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be
used to his own advantage;
rather,
he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in
human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by
becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every
name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth
and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:1-11
In
all of our relationships as Jesus’ followers, we can choose to think we’re
superior or we can humbly serve the interests of others. We are told that
nothing should be done by selfish ambition or conceit. We are told that our self-esteem
should not be higher than others.
We
can learn to consider others’ needs more important than our own as we focus on
Jesus example. He took the form of a bond servant. He gave Himself for us. When
we fall in valuing others, His sacrifice for us shows us the humble, better
way.
Joy comes from putting another’s welfare ahead of
our own.
Our
Daily Bread – June 25, 2013