Being the Church #45

Philippians 2:

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others

We have been in passages all over the Bible in this study on being the church, but keep coming on these passages that remind us of the importance of humility. To begin with, this is an evidence of the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.  It is the kind of atmosphere that brings joy to the hearts of those who have been called by God to lead and invest in His people. It reveals that victory is taking place in the hardest of battlefields: selfishness. Notice how Paul builds from verse to verse. First it is as if he is asking a heart-searching question: "Is God at work in your life?  Do you care at all about others? Then he asks them as a favor to him. Next, he gives an imperative: Do nothing selfish; be humble. Finally, he gives an exhortation: Let everyone look out for each other.  Take the focus off of "me", and think more about "we."