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Esteem Others |
Dear Brethren,
Why are we asked to "esteem others
better
than yourself." Wouldn't it be just about a perfect world
if everyone obeyed the command to love thy neighbor as
thyself? What is a Christian's approach supposed to be toward
others? Paul gives us a higher admonition of lowering our opinions of
ourselves, while at the same time lifting others in our estimation. "Let
nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind
let each esteem other better than themselves."
(Philippians 2:3)
As Christians, we work and deal with a great variety of people in
our daily lives. Some are religious, and some are not. Some are
family, and others are strangers. To understand why our standard
has been raised so high, we should remember why we are called at
this time. Christians are not primarily called into God's Church
now for the purpose of saving our own skin - or to
get into the Kingdom of God. We are called now in
order to be representatives of God's Kingdom at this time!
Jesus gave us the instruction and His personal example by
humbly being a servant, waiter, nurse, butler, and slave to
others. He did not insist on being the one to be deferred
to, or waited upon, as was the custom of leaders and
royalty. Notice how clearly Jesus said for Christians not
to be in the position of the "big cheese:"
"Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the
princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and
they that are great exercise authority upon them. But
it shall not be so among you: but whosoever
will be great among you, let him be your minister." The
meaning of the word "minister" has changed over the years.
Here, it should have been correctly translated a
"waiter" at tables, or in other menial duties, as when
Jesus washed His disciples feet. (Matthew 20:25-26)
Jesus was explaining that the status, rank and dominance
achieved on earth was contrary to God's desire for
Christians to humbly diminish and devote one's own life to
the benefit of others. "Whosoever will be chief among
you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came
not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his
life a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:27-28)
We are to take the lower status of being providers,
enablers, and helpers in order to fulfill the true needs of
others. Our primary duty as Christians is to be
representatives or ambassadors of God's Kingdom, now, when
dealing with others. Paul gave some examples:
"Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly
love; in honor preferring one another." (Romans 12:10 )
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2)
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of
God." (Ephesians 5:21 )
Peter put it all together when he wrote: "All
of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with
humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to
the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty
hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time."
(1Peter 5:5-6)
Jesus is asking us to lay down our lives daily - in a
spiritual way - to help others attain to His Kingdom. We
don't just esteem others better than ourselves when we feel
that they are "deserving." We are to treat all mankind with
higher esteem. Paul shows that we, as Christ did, are to
serve sinners, too. "For scarcely for a righteous man
will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would
even dare to die. (Like jumping on a hand-grenade in a
foxhole to save the lives of your buddies.) But God
commends his love toward us, in that, while we were
yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans
5:7-8)
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of
God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service." (Romans 12:1)
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Sermon: |
"Jesus Christ Creator God" |
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