Placing Others Above Yourself

Grace To You.org ^ | 1997 | John MacArthur, Grace Community Church

[metmom]

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

One important way to prevent factionalism in the church is to regard other members as more important than yourself.

“Humility of mind” is a distinctive New Testament expression. There were similar terms in secular writings, but none that exactly fit the purposes of the New Testament writers. One form of the Greek word was used to describe the mentality of a slave. It was a term of derision, signifying anyone who was considered base, common, shabby, or low. Among pagans before Christ’s time, humility was never a trait to be sought or admired. Thus the New Testament introduced a radically new concept.

In Philippians 2:3 Paul defines “humility of mind” simply as seeing others as more important than yourself. But how often do we really consider others that way? Frequently, even within the church, we think just the opposite of what Paul commands. For example, we are sometimes prone to criticize those with whom we minister. It is naturally easier for us to speak of their faults and failures than it is to refer to our own.

But Paul’s attitude was different. He knew his own heart well enough to call himself the worst of sinners: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all” (1 Tim. 1:15). The apostle was also humble enough to realize that in his own strength he was not worthy of the ministry to which he had been called: “I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle” (1 Cor. 15:9).

Your knowledge of others’ sins and graces is based on their outward words and actions, not on what you can read from their hearts. But you, like Paul, do know your own heart and its sinful shortcomings (cf. Rom. 7). That ought to make it much easier to respect and honor others before yourself. And when you do that, you are helping prevent factionalism in your church and contributing to the edification of fellow believers.

Suggestions for Prayer

Examine your life and ask God to help you turn from anything that would be keeping you from “humility of mind.”

For Further Study

Read Genesis 13, and notice what happened between Abraham and his nephew Lot. How did God reassure Abraham after his graciousness toward Lot?

[metmom]

Studying God’s Word ping

[HangnJudge]

Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance. ~ St. Augustine

[Pilgrim's Progress]

J - Jesus first
O - Others next
Y - Yourself last

[ptsal]

Thanks for your Freeper Website.
ptsal

[Pilgrim's Progress]

:)

[Bobsvainbabblings]

Pilgrim’s Progress, you posted,  

J - Jesus first
O - Others next
Y - Yourself last

I am not surprised no one has commented on your list.  
 
When you read the following, do you think our Lord Jesus might think you left someone off your list? 

Mark 12:28-31 King James Version (KJV)

28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?

29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.  

I’ve often wondered if this in Revelation pertains to the above.  

Revelation 2:4 King James Version (KJV)

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.   

Our first love has to be Our Heavenly Father with Jesus, His Christ, a close second.  

May our Heavenly Father lead us to His truth, BVB

[Pilgrim's Progress]

I’m going to guess that you do not believe in the Trinity, let alone the equality of the Trinity.

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:15-17).

[Bobsvainbabblings]

I am sorry I didn’t answer sooner. I was away longer than I planned after I posted. I Don’t see what I posted has anything to do with the Trinity. Isn’t God are Father part of that.
 
I’m going to guess that you do not believe in the Trinity, let alone the equality of the Trinity.

John 14:28 King James Version (KJV)

28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:15-17)

  all things were created by him, and for him: Who created things for him if not the Father? 

May God our Father lead us to His truth, BVB