Unity through Humilty
Intro:
Main Point: Today, we see three descriptions of humility so that you might live in the unity that God desires
Before the New Testament era, the word “humility” had a negative connotation. The adjective related to it “was frequently employed, and especially so, to describe the mentality of a slave. It conveyed the ideas of being base, unfit, shabby, mean, of no account. Hence ‘humility’ could not have been regarded by the pagan as a virtue to be sought after.”
Most of the time, however, as in Josephus, it seen as contemptible, carrying the negative sense of weakness, servility, and even “groveling,” associated with shame, and so to be repudiated and overcome with nobility.
1) Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit
The term means “selfish ambition,” which was not an uncommon problem in Roman culture and politics with its penchant for prestige, ambition, and status, which was sometimes condemned by Greeks (Gnilka, 105), and which Paul elsewhere condemns as sinful and a work of the flesh
It is not surprising that rejecting selfishness is listed first, since it is the root of every other sin.
It refers to a highly exaggerated self-view, which is nothing but empty conceit. Whereas selfish ambition pursues personal goals, empty conceit seeks personal glory and acclaim.
Sinful ➞ unbelieving ➞ turning away ➞ hardened hearts. What a terrifying progression! Perhaps you are wondering, “How could this ever happen to a believer?” This passage answers the question with its detailed description of how things went wrong. Notice the words in Hebrews 3:13: “so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” This explains why we need the daily ministry of fellow believers
2) Count others more significant than yourselves
3) Look not only to your own interests
By including merely (as well as also in the following phrase), the apostle excludes the unbiblical idea that asceticism reflects a deeper level of spirituality and earns special divine approval. On the contrary, it is a subtle and deceptive manifestation of legalistic pride.
Like the other principles mentioned here, looking out for the interests of others is indispensable for spiritual unity. Also like them, it p 115 requires deliberate and persistent effort to apply sincerely and unconditionally. And although the meaning is obvious and easy to understand, it is difficult to apply. It is the practical outcome of the exceedingly difficult command to regard others as more important than ourselves.