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"