Imitating Christ's Humility
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,
but in humility consider others better than yourselves."
(Philippians 2:3)
The two enemies of unity and harmony in the church; selfish ambition and vain conceit. It will be a worthwhile attempt to try and understand these two phrases. Because we find, Paul in his letter to the Philippians, encourages them to imitate Christ's humility in their relationships within the church and not to do anything out of their selfish ambitions and vain conceits. What are they?
Looking at what 'Selfish Ambition' really means, any one of us would think twice before we decide with our answers; we are all people with ambitions. We all have set few goals to be achieved day by day, which ultimately lead us towards what we call "ambitions." We all want to be successful in whatever we put our hardest efforts on. The word ambition has been understood through the years as 'a strong desire to do or achieve something', or may be 'a desire and determination to achieve success.' In that case, what's wrong in being ambitious? I just want to remind you my friend the adjective that Paul has used there before this word; selfish! Let not our ambitions be selfish in their nature. Let not anything that we do to others be done out of selfish ambitions that make us focus on what we gain by doing anything to others. But let it be done by considering others better than ourselves; treating others who also have set their own goals and are finding ways to reach the peak in whatever mountain they are climbing.
Vain Conceit; somebody having excessive pride in oneself. It is also when someone is having or showing an excessively high opinion of one's appearance, abilities or worth. It is something very common to be noticed among people who are actively involved in the growth of the church; there's plenty of talents, skills and abilities involved; chances of falling into the trap of 'vain conceit' is high. Having a high opinion of one's own self can be harmful not only to the worship as a congregation but also in our expression of christian love. The excessive pride that we may hold on to may become a hindrance to the pleasant relationships that should be built on the principles set by Christ himself.
After mentioning these two phrases, Paul provides the solution; something that we need to hold on to. And that is Christ's humility. It's the imitation of Christ's humility. The humility that enables you to consider others better than yourself. Wow! What's that? Does it strike you? You need to consider others better than yourself! Isn't that something new to some of us. We were people doing exactly the opposite all these days. We have tried our best, but some or the other, there have been instances and circumstances where we have considered others lower and worse than ourselves. There were moments in our lives where we had thought ourselves, and not others, to be more accomplished, privileged and honored. But my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. The moment when you decide to imitate Christ's humility, the whole perspective is different. You are called look at the world, and compare your fellow being using a different lens; a lens that allows you to consider others better than yourself.
In the same chapter, Philippians 2: 5-11, Paul beautifully and powerfully describes the essentials of this humility that he is talking about; Christ's humility. The whole passage is a challenge for us.
Today, we are being called to do the same. To imitate Christ's humility.
May God help you to do everything with Christ's humility that encourages you to consider others better than yourself, and not do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
May God bless you.
