Following Jeus, the Humble Servant
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)
It is no surprise to find in the world men whose lives are focused on self-exaltation. In our flesh we feel that man’s chief end is to glorify self and enjoy ourselves forever. But Jesus has shown us a better way.
It is a tragedy that so few in the church pursue the way of the Master who came as a humble servant. How many are they who will do nothing from rivalry or conceit but will count others more significant? This attitude of humility is one that recognizes we are the creature and God is the creator. None of us is more significant than any other person, our worth comes only from God. Consider that it is the apostle Paul telling us to count others more significant. Paul’s impact on the church is second only to Jesus. Nonetheless, he counts others more significant than himself. It is because he knows that his reach, his impact, his significance is not his – it is God’s. And what God has done through Paul’s life he could do through any person on this planet. Paul is not the significant person in his ministry – God is.
Our value does not come from our looks or intelligence or performance. It comes from God. We approach others knowing here is another of God’s creations, another whose worth is not found in his own actions or appearance but from the love of the Father. This erases rivalry. Fellow Christians are not rivals but brothers. The lost are not rivals but the target of our evangelistic endeavor.
Christian, msay we no longer treat everything as a competition. May God instead set Christian to work with Christian for the glory of God. And may we love the lost enough to put aside jealous squabbling, giving up our rights and serving the world with love.
