Esteeming Others Better

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 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…
Php 2:1-5

During a season when “love” is so emphasized, it’s good to be reminded of the characteristics of true love. Our text above tells us how someone with a “mind…which was also in Christ Jesus” will love. It isn’t simply a syrupy, emotional expression accompanied by flowers and candy. It’s more than romance and intimacy. This love is self-sacrificial, putting itself dead last. (the choice of that last adjective was intentional since “dead” is how you end up when you live a crucified life in Christ’s pattern)

Consider v. 3 with a few key words emphasized: “Let NOTHING be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem OTHERS BETTER than himself.” How many of our actions and intentions must be measured by this standard? ALL of them because NOTHING is excluded! Which people in our lives are in view here? EVERYONE because they all qualify as being OTHERS! And how should we consider these individuals compared to ourselves. As deserving BETTER than we do!

Honestly, I’m afraid if I say much more I’ll detract from the weight of that verse. Imagine the impact we would have as Christians if we were driven every moment by that command. Do we have to attend to our own things at times? Sure! We just need to make sure we “look out not only for [our] own interests, but also for the interests of others.” And when we look out for others, do it BETTER than we do for ourselves! How will men know that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind”? When we love our neighbor AS we love ourselves! (Mat 22:37-40) I’d say we have our work cut out for us today…

Jamie

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