You're Better Than Me!

Paul makes it clear in chapter 1 that we are in a battle.

Wherever you find yourself, whatever the situation, you are in a battle against an enemy that is seeking to devour. ()

In the midst of that battle, we are to “let our manner be worthy of the gospel of Christ” 1:27

What, practically does that look like? We think of practical things:

Not doing “questionable things”

Not going to parties

Not drinking

Not smoking

BAsically living good, clean lives

That’s not without value. But that’s not what Paul is talking about here.

He goes on to tell us what it looks like to have our manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.:

“…that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for one faith of the gospel, and not being frightened in anything by your opponents.”

(ESV)

Christ’s Example of Humility

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant that yourselves”.

KJV “in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than themselves.”

How do we count others as more significant than ourselves?

Consider their motives as purer than yours.

Consider their abilities as higher than yours

Consider their value as greater than yours