Philippians 2:3-4,“Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Paul had a concern about the lack of unity within the church at Philippi, which was a very cosmopolitan city and had great diversity. False teachers were coming in from without (Phil. 3:1-3), members disagreeing within (Phil. 4:1-3), and what Euodia and Syntyche were debating about Paul does not state. Paul declared that humility, gentleness, patience, “alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences,” (Ephe. 4:2 MSG) was highly needed. So if God has shown us mercy, why is it often times hard not to humbly show grace and mercy to those we have unpleasant interactions and disputes with, in a loving manner, yet not compromise in our spiritual convictions and integrity? Anyone that overhears the interaction needs to see Christ-like dedication of a spirit filled transformed life’s example of John 13:45, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” I admit this is not always my first reaction, when life gets messy. Can you think of any examples in your life when you have been vulnerable and had this problem too?
“Paul knew there is a difference between unity and uniformity. True spiritual unity comes from within; it is a matter of the heart. Uniformity is the result of pressure from without.” Warren W. Wiersbe, “Be Joyful. Even When Things Go Wrong. NT Commentary on Philippians.” When facing the temptation of rivalry, being in competition for the same objective or superiority in the same field—living out our spiritual identity in Christ-like love, is the supreme action required and takes humility. It can happen in our work, committees we serve on, and other relationships. The importance and art of strategy needed, taking out the emotions and responding with radical love, no matter what, as Paul declares in Philip. 2:3-4 is necessary for guarding against jealousy and selfishness in maintaining peace and being united. Paul was the supreme example of living his life in serving others as Christ did. Paul said, “I am what I am by the grace of God . . . I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me . . . I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing.”
I remember the races my brother and I would have when getting out of the car, after going anywhere and returning into our driveway when we were young. We each would be yelling, “Me first! Me first!” in our running strides to beat out each other in entering the house before each other. It was all about wanting to be first in competing against what I wanted rather than what Jim wanted and vice versa. Often I am still there. What about you?
During this isolation time with our COVID situation, I think we find it a privilege to be with other people more than before. It gives us joy. We have all been given more time to think and pray for one another. Now when we are together with family, friends, or co-workers, it is our opportunity to really listen to their stories and explore who they are. Asking what the back story of things they hold dear to them in their beliefs and actions is. If I knew the secret hurts and disappointments of those I disagree with, I might find my animosity towards them lessen. It is something I need to put into practice.
Paul is saying, forget this “Me First! Me First!” mentality. “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process.” Philippians 2:4-5 MSG.
Listen to Casting Crowns ft. Matthew West – Lyric Video – by InBeautiful Chaos -Misfit Heroes Music Video