Working for the King
Monday, September 4, 2017
Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
The Apostle Paul, while articulating complex theological principles in his letters, against a tapestry woven of Jewish history, Roman governance, and Greek culture, maintains a focus in the character and conduct of the Christian in the church.
So important is this issue that in the letter to the church at Philipi it comes up in the middle of a discourse about Paul’s own suffering and the suffering of Christ for us.
Paul goes in to explain that the exalted Christ was humble in His work for us even on to suffering death in the cross. Christ was his example and so must Christ be ours.
Humility, therefore, must be the primary characteristic of the Christian (and the Christian worker more so), a humility that dispenses with selfishness and with pride.
And, it’s a humility that forges a high quality of relationship between and among those of us who serve together in ministry, and those of us who make up the church.
When each of us could esteem others better than ourselves then we are ready to work together for the Kingdom.
A Kingdom, devoid of pride and ego, devoid of self centered competition, and devoid of self promotion, is a Kingdom focused on it’s King.
Think of these things:
- Are you humble like Christ?
- Do ego and pride influence your work in the church?
- Do you always see your fellow workers in the church as co-workers or are they sometimes competitors?
Prayer focus:
Let us pray today that we would learn Christ’s humility and that we’d grow to esteem others ahead of ourselves.
In His Grace
Pastor Alex