Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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LORD: Adored for His Humility
Philippians 2:1-11
  Dr. Deepu A. Thomas

Carmel MTC, Boston MA 

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.


 In this passage, Paul, who is already happy with the faith of Christians in Philippi, is urging them to make his joy complete by being unified with fellow Christians in love and by sharing the same spirit. The purpose of this unity was to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus. He also instructs them to be humble and to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

 This passage influenced me a lot in my faith journey. I use verses 3 & 4 to challenge me everyday.  Contrary to what our world asserts us to do, Paul is asking us to value others above ourselves, a quality of God who loved us humans to such an extent that He gave His only son for our salvation. Pride, one of human being's  basic instincts, means “an inordinate self-esteem or a reasonable or justifiable self-respect”. If we take a moment to think, is this not what the world wants us to be, “proud of what we are and what we have accomplished”? Isn’t this what we want our kids to be? Mary’s reply to her cousin Elizabeth in Luke 1:51 gives us an idea about what will happen to people with pride even in their innermost thoughts. Here in verses 5 through 11, Paul recognizes one of Christ’s greatest virtues, which is worth all adoration from us humans - His humility, and wishes us to possess the same outlook as Christ Jesus.
 

In our church community, how do we wish ourselves to be portrayed? Like the Christians in Philippi, who are already considered obedient to Christ’s teachings, Paul through this passage urges us to be better by being humble and Christ-like. Instead of being proud, we are called to be humble in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Let us take a minute to think about how blessed we are to have Christ, who lowered Himself to become a human, as our Savior. Let us pray that we can portray God’s unique quality in our daily lives.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank You for Your generous gift because You loved us so much. We are Your children. We pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance to lead a life You want us to live.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
 
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4


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