"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. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (vv.3-5)
Boy these words are the key to solving many of today’s problems. Selfish ambition, vain conceit, looking out for number one, all these seem to be the norm and even the church has been infected and motivated by competition in areas like, attendance, performance, facilities, growth. This just should not be.
Paul tells us we are to value the interests of others above ourselves and do nothing out of self-ambition or vain conceit. This means having a servants heart, doing for others first, putting others needs above our own without a single thought of recognition or reward. This enables us to be truly concerned with the circumstances of those around us, and allows us to be more caring, empathetic human beings, with no agendas.
Knowing the sufferings, and the hurts of others fills us with compassion for people and allows us to “put on the Humility of Christ.” When you are prepared to be weak and helpless so far as your own energies are concerned, then He may put forth in your life the mighty energy of that power which raised Christ from the dead.
Therefore be humble not selfish, think of others rather than yourself, and thus put on the mind of Christ.
The Truth: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
