FAITH IN COMMUNITY
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” Philippians 2:3, ESV
Theme: Humility means putting others ahead of ourselves and choosing service over self-promotion.
CHRIST, OUR EXAMPLE
Our daily Christian lifestyle is the emulation of Jesus Christ, exemplified through the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV). When the acts of our flesh bring upon Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-control … then our daily journey through these actions will help us embody the character of our Christ into our own lives. The humility will follow. Our Movies at The Cove does an excellent job of cinematically giving examples of this. In McFarland USA, Jim and Cheryl White were shown growing in the Fruit of the Spirit but, in reality (Yes, it is a true movie) the family had always lived to love the Lord and show others to Jesus. They were just living and raising their children to love the Lord as well. A Christian family; living within the Scripture.
LIVE WITHIN SCRIPTURE
Today’s Scripture simply tells us what we should not do, and what we should do, in terms of prioritizing the needs, feelings, and well-being of others. We should not be doing things for just our personal gain. We can regard others as more important than ourselves. Wasn’t this the way of Jesus? Replacing human rivalry and envy with a selfless desire to serve and lifting up those around us is not an easy task, unless we can spiritually change our ways.
A good example of this is found in the movie McFarland USA. Coach Jim White humbles himself, by crossing cultural and socioeconomic boundaries to selflessly serve hard-working farm students and their families, lifting them up. He stepped out of the center of his own world to prioritize the needs, feelings, and well-being of others. He showed us the way of Christ. The true story of Coach Jim White and his wife Cheryl is about devout Christians who explicitly grounded their coaching and lives in Scripture. Their guiding life verse is 2 Timothy 1:7, KJV: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
In Philippians, chapter two, the context for today’s Scripture, the Apostle Paul is pointing to Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of this humility. Jesus, though equal with God, did not use His status for His own advantage, but humbled Himself to become a servant and die on the cross for the sake of humanity. In McFarland USA, coach Jim White became a servant when he found this problem-solving approach. We can be Christ-like in many different ways, whether we have the verses memorized or not.
Doing the right thing is an act of aligning your moral compass with your choices; using ethical principles. It feels good to do things right. Apply the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). This is way more important than striving for personal perfection. Even being unaware of God does not negate moral goodness, but religious salvation itself is often described as a distinct, conscious relationship with Jesus rather than just a moral lifestyle.
Understanding and applying Philippians 2:3 transforms our interpersonal relationships by replacing rivalry and envy with a selfless desire to serve and lift up those around you. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” How are you doing with that approach?
Make It Personal: How have you applied your courage, prioritization, and selflessness over your short-term personal gains or convenience? We all know Jesus. How many of us live as Jesus lived?
Pray: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. We come before You today, laying down our anxieties, self-doubt, and fear. Your Words remind us that You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Keep us from selfish ambitions. When challenges arrive, please help us count others as more significant than ourselves. Help us to lean into Your strength this day, and all days, when selfish ambition seems to dominate our thoughts. When we face challenging circumstances, please remind us of the power and authority You have placed within us to overcome. Fill our hearts with Your perfect love and humility so that we may act with compassion and grace. And bless us with sound, disciplined minds so that our thoughts and actions are guided by Your peace - rather than human panic. Graciously grant us the courage to walk boldly today, knowing You are always with us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Read: Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 7:12, Philippians 2:3-8, Proverbs 22:6
Weekly Memory Verse: “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 1 John 2:9-10, ESV