Bible Verses
Phil 2:3 Doing nothing by way of selfish ambition nor by way
of vainglory, but in lowliness of mind considering one
another more excellent than yourselves; (4) Not regarding
each his own virtues, but each the virtues of others also.
(5) Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus
Words of Ministry
Nothing was more troubling to the Apostle Paul than to learn
that the saints in Philippi were living in the way of
vainglory. He was very concerned that they live a crucified
life. As we have seen, this life is Christ Himself as the One
who emptied Himself and humbled Himself. Taking this
crucified life as our pattern opens the gate of resurrection
and brings us into the power of resurrection. The exaltation
which is of God will never come by way of rivalry or vain-
glory. The more we seek vainglory, the more shameful our
situation will be. To pursue vainglory is not a glory at all;
it is a shame. Likewise, when we are in rivalry with others,
the result is never exaltation. Inevitably the result is that
we are brought low. The highest life on earth is the
crucified life. Whenever we live a crucified life, God will
bring us into the power of resurrection, and in this power we
shall be exalted.
During the years I have been in the church life, I have known
many cases of those who were in rivalry for vainglory.
Without exception, all those who engaged in such rivalry went
downhill. It is utterly foolish to have rivalry in the church
life. Furthermore, none of us in the church life should hold
to any personal standing. Of course, we must stand firm for
the Lord's testimony. However, we should not claim any
standing, title, or position for ourselves. Making such
claims will never bring us into the power of resurrection. I
earnestly hope that none of the saints in the church life
today will seek glory for themselves. Instead of seeking
glory, we should seek Christ and Him alone. Then we shall
experience the crucified life.
Because among the saints in Philippi there was rivalry for
vainglory, it was necessary for Paul to present Christ as the
pattern of a crucified life. Paul presents this pattern in
Philippians, not in other books, because in Philippi rivalry
for vainglory was a definite problem. As long as certain of
the saints there were seeking glory for themselves, there was
rivalry. Therefore, Paul showed them that Christ, the Son of
God, had a very high position. He possessed the very form of
God and had the right to be equal with God. Nevertheless, He
did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but
emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming in the
likeness of men. Then, being found in fashion as a man, He
humbled Himself and became obedient even unto the death of
the cross. Those Philippian saints who were seeking position
and title for themselves surely needed to live according to
Christ as the pattern of a crucified life.
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