CONSIDER OTHERS BETTER THAN YOURSELF

Passage: Philippians 2:1-4

Key verse: 3

NIV

Imitating Christ’s Humility

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,(A) if any tenderness and compassion,(B) then make my joy complete(C) by being like-minded,(D) having the same love, being one(E) in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.(F) Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,(G) not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.(H)

Read full chapter

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Christ's Example of Humility

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from (A)love, any (B)participation in the Spirit, any (C)affection and sympathy, (D)complete my joy by being (E)of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from (F)selfish ambition or (G)conceit, but in (H)humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you (I)look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Read full chapter

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. United with Christ (1-2)

A Christian is one who is united with Christ in his death and in his resurrection. This mystical union is the work of the Holy Spirit. We find personal joy and fulfillment through our relationship with Christ. When we have fellowship with the Spirit and are comforted by Jesus' love, we are set free from seeking love from people. Instead, we have love to give to others. If we love Jesus, we can have unity with other believers. We can overcome small differences and share one purpose--to obey Jesus' world mission command.

2. Be united with one another (3-4)

If Jesus is in our hearts, we must love and respect others. There is no room for jealousy in a heart where Jesus lives. Human comparisons make one either feel inferior or become conceited. Our motive for action must not be selfish ambition, but love for Jesus and a desire to please him. We should see ourselves and others with Jesus' eyes. And we must not be selfish or indifferent to others' needs.

Prayer: Lord, I am a debtor to your love. Help me to love and respect others.

One Word: Love others with Jesus' love