Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.
Wow, it would sure be nice if Paul would put some clarifiers on his commands...For instance, "do nothing out of selfish ambition"?? or "consider others better than yourselves"...I'm guessing what Paul really means is that we should do most things without selfish ambition and that we should consider some others as better than ourselves...or maybe he means what he says. If that is the case, than I'm thinking that Paul is looking for our hearts, not just our actions. I find that if my faith journey is simply about actions, I will slide to what is easiest. If my faith journey is about heart, I more easily move to what is best. Having said that, how is it possible to really do nothing out of selfish ambition and really consider all others as better than myself? I wonder if the great commandment might give us a hint. The greatest commandment is to love God with all of who we are, the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves (sounds suspiciously similar to this passage). I'm thinking the second part is impossible without the first. According to John 15 we can do nothing apart from Christ, apart from loving God with everything. However, when we begin to journey in that direction, all things are possible. Lord, fill me with a passion for you, and in turn, a passion for others. May these commands become my reality. I am sorry for when that is not the case.
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Just thought I'd say hi - your blevos look pretty lonely...
Great thoughts, btw! I think that it goes back to the water and cup illustration: I can't have any greater capacity to love others until I begin to understand God's love for me. When I get that, then my love for God bursts out and it might splash itself on some people around me too.
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