Do Nothing From Selfishness…
Well, it is a new day and a new week and nearly a new month here in my corner of the world–Monday morning, February 28. I don’t know about you, but I am absolutely SHOCKED that tomorrow is March 1. (No snickering from the peanut gallery–yes, I learned all about the calendar when I was in first grade too.) It just seems like a week ago that I was making resolutions for this new year. I am convinced I am living in a time warp!
Anyway, enough about that. In my last post, I promised I would share a few more thoughts about thinking too highly of ourselves. I would have done this last week, but I was too busy looking out for my own interests to tap the keyboard for this blog. Slap my hand! Although I will say that there are times in life, where there are more interests on our plates that we have to be looking out for…particularly when you are preparing for a move.
Today I am focusing on Philippians 2:3 which says…do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves… Here we see the spiritual meets the practical place of our thinking and motivations.
Do nothing from selfish motives or self-conceit. Nothing? This is a hard command that hits at the heart of my motivations with convicting accuracy. Why do I do the things I do? If I were able to see a print out of my motivations over the last week, I am sure I would be shocked at how pervasive selfishness is in my thinking. As I was getting pounded on the door of my attention with this verse, I noticed that it was placed in an interesting progression of thought in the surrounding verses. This is kind of like a Humble sandwich as opposed to a slice of Humble pie. I have tried to visually separate the verses to demonstrate my point.
Have you read Philippians 2:1-8 lately? Just in case you haven’t, I’ll post it here for your convenience:
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (NASB)
I find it interesting that these uncomfortable verses on selfishness are sandwiched between a description of how the body of Christ should be acting and how Christ showed true humility. Verses 1 and 2 show us that loving encouragement, compassion, and Spirit-led affection are the result of looking out for one another. I see that if my eyes are glued to my own problems and plans, I will not truly see the needs and interests of others. It isn’t that I don’t want to–I really do care about other people. It is just that sometimes there doesn’t seem to be much brain-power left after I deal with myself and my stuff. Have you noticed that self-absorption is a consuming state of mind? Investing in interests of others and caring about their concerns creates unity and bonds of friendship. Looking up the word regard, I see that it means to esteem one another—there is a reciprocal understanding embedded in the meaning of this verse. Caring for one another helps maintain unity, agreement, and lack of division. These things are crucial to good relationships…particularly in marriage and family.
Now look on the other side of the verse about selfish thinking and see the contrast of the example of Christ. Emptying Himself of His divine glory and not insisting that He be treated according to His position, demonstrates a mind-boggling level of humility. Sacrificing Himself for our benefit is the extreme act of looking out for the interests of others. Although I will never be challenged to demonstrate the same inconceivable level of humility that Christ showed, I can’t miss Paul’s instruction that I am to have the same attitude of letting go of my own interests and caring for the interests of others.
Here is one more similar passage found in Romans 12:9-13:
Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Now these are some thoughts to chew on for a while. Bon Appétit
Grace to Think Realistically
How are things with you in your corner of the world today? I have just eaten breakfast and the Lord has served up a slice of humble pie. I was planning on eating a sesame seed bagel, but I guess God wanted me to chew on something else. Instead of a yummy bagel, I found myself digesting these words:
Romans 12:2b-3…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 3For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. (NASB)
In my last post I reflected on the end of Romans 11, and God spoke to me about my attitude when I pray rigidly for my solutions rather than trust Him to know what is best. A friend once recommended that I ask God for his solution, rather than having a mindset that plan A (my plan) is the only way. This was really good advice. A dose of humility and a reminder of the knowledge and sovereignty of God was definitely His portion for me the other day. Today, I notice that He has led my attention the instruction to relate to other people through grace. More specifically, don’t think too highly of self. You see, being human, that’s where my thoughts about myself naturally go…up, up, and away. Either I think too much of myself, or I think of myself too much.
When I put my desires and needs in first place in the waiting line for my attention, I am thinking too highly of myself: i.e., my needs are more important than yours. The word “highly” actually means vain or arrogant, esteeming oneself too much, and it is so easy to think this way. This little bad habit of the mind can show up in a variety of ways. For instance, being preoccupied with my problems can happen when I think my problems are worse than yours. When I am certain that I know what so-and-so’s problem is, I am thinking too highly of myself as an expert judge of character. Other times, I can insist on my idea, driving others with the prideful thinking that, of course, I am right. Yes, if you are like me, you are starting to feel a wee bit of conviction… When I think too highly of myself, I will inevitably think too lowly of someone else. There’s only so much room at the top.
I am receiving another dose of humility as God reminds me of the problem with inaccurate and prideful self-absorption—it will eventually lead to a lack of judgment that affects my relationship with both God and others. God knows we need a lot of help with this one. Could this be why this verse is placed right next to Romans 12:2, which refers to the Spirit-led renewing of my thoughts? When the Holy Spirit brings His truth to my thinking, my actions can follow as I live out, demonstrate, and “prove” what is good. One of those “good” things is realistic, truth-based thinking about myself—not too high and not too low.
So are these words resonating with you, like they are with me? See, I am putting your interests ahead of mine as I generously share my slice of humble pie. Join me in my next post as I a few other verses on this topic.
Ever Catch Yourself Arguing with God?
Sometimes I catch myself reading a portion of Scripture with a bit of an argumentative attitude. Ever done that? When the words of God are shockingly different from our cultural mindset and worldly way of conducting life, it is easy to cross my arms and want to dig in my heels. When I don’t completely understand how or why, I can default to doubt or bossiness–just keeping it real here.
As you can see, my kids often feel this same way.
I was reminded of this recently when I read Romans 11. There I was just reading along and conversing with God when He pointed my attention to this passage:
Romans 11:33-36 Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him;Everything ends up in him… (The Message)
Normally, I have read this passage as an anthem of praise for the immeasurable wisdom and sovereignty of God–and it definitely is. But this day God took the conversation in a different direction, pointing out my tendency to find fault and argue exceptions. Then I was reminded that He knows what He is doing and I will not understand it all. Somehow in the human limitations of my mind, it can be easy to struggle with doubt about things I don’t understand. Have you ever felt this way?
Last time I checked, God was not asking me for my opinion or for advice.
It strikes me that feeling like I am owed an explanation is a rather audacious example of human pride. God does not have to explain Himself to me, even though He graciously let’s me in on a mind-boggling amount of his thoughts through Scripture.
This anthem of praise places my eyes on the majesty of His extraordinary wisdom that is above and beyond all human understanding. I am humbled when I remember many situations when I have prayed about an issue in my life from the mindset that I know exactly how to fix it; I just need God to do it. It is easy for a desire to solve a problem to become an agenda, ever noticed that? It is a wonder He doesn’t reach down from heaven and give me a swat on my hiney when I want to tell Him what to do. God does not need my advice on solving any problem I face. I am the one who needs to remember that…”Everything comes from him; Everything happens through him; Everything ends up in him…” Romans 11:36 (MSG)
I thought we were done, but…the Spirit had more to show me. Not content to leave it at a general reminder that He is God and I am not, the Spirit brought to mind a recent issue in my family. (Yes we have them; all families do.)
He showed me that when I think I know what is wrong and how to fix it, I often bypass His wisdom. How much better off I would be if I asked God for His solution rather than insist on my plan? Then when answers don’t come in the package that I planned on, I can end up feeling like God didn’t answer my prayer. This is particularly easy to do when it comes to the ones I love. (I will generally leave other people alone with my fix-it solutions.) Too often, I am only looking for the immediate fix, rather than the larger picture of faith and character that God is working on. Relational dynamics are often a complex web of thoughts, assumptions, needs, opinions, and behaviors. God is reminding me that He understands far more than I do and I should seek His wisdom, confident that…
Everything comes from him….including answers and solutions to the issues in my life.
Everything happens through him…not necessarily through my opinions about how to set things “right.”
Everything ends up in him…I’d be wise to let him have the last word!
What is something in your life where you have been tempted feel this way?
One of the Family
There’s no place like home.
Isn’t it great to be one of the family? There is a feeling of security when you know you belong . When you are part of the family, you know where you live…duh. You have a key to the door and you come right on in whenever you want to, because you live there. Right? When you are part of the family, you can help yourself to whatever is in the refrigerator (unless of course, your mom has but an “Eat this and you will Die!” note on the banana pudding. When you are one of the family, you can snuggle up on the couch and put your feet on the coffee table. You can relax because you know you belong. You know you are supposed to live there. You are loved and accepted, even if you are having a bad day and are feeling a little testy.
Have you ever thought about how amazing it is that God, our creator, wants us to know Him as our father? Really…! This is one thing He wants us to be completely clear on. I love the scripture verses that talk about how God is our “Abba, Father.” Abba is a term of endearment, and is often translated as Papa. It is a wondrous thing to be a child of God, which is reflected in the following verses from a recent quiet time:
For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God… Romans 8:14-16 (NAS)
An outsider no more.
Have you ever spent time in someone’s home where you felt like an outsider? I can remember visiting a relative once when my children were small. I felt nervous because I didn’t want thier cute little toddler fingers to smear peanut butter on the spotless white sofa. I didn’t feel “at home” and could not relax, because I knew I was a guest. Even though they were family members, we weren’t close enough for me to forget that I was a guest. I knew I must mind my manners, and somehow make sure my little people did so as well. What a relief it was to return to my own home, confident that I belong there.
Over time, I have learned that my opportunity to know God as my Heavenly Father includes many wonderful blessings. One of those blessings is to able to come into His presence and talk with Him, knowing that He will listen. In fact, Hebrews 4:16 shows me how God wants His children to approach Him:
Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 (AMP)
To come with confidence means to trust that I will be lovingly received.
Reflecting on this instruction, I see that to come to God boldly is to come freely, without fear, with frankness and assurance. To come with confidence means to trust that I will be lovingly received. In these verses, there is no question of being received or heard. I think of them as God’s invitation to intimacy with Him. To believe that God truly wants me to have a close relationship increases my confidence. I begin to enter into the throne room as one of the family who is at home there, rather than a stranger who knocks hesitantly, wondering if anyone will come to the door and invite them in. You know, the spiritual meets the practical when we truly understand that, in Christ, we are one of God’s family–we are welcome and we belong.
God has given me access and invited me into intimacy with Him. I choose to respond to this privilege by returning the invitation. I will invite God and give Him access to my thoughts and plans. If you relate to this thought, join me in this prayer:
Abba, thank You for making it possible for me to come into relationship with You. Thank You for inviting me to come to You with bold confidence. May I come to You before seeking answers, guidance, or comfort elsewhere. I invite You into my thoughts and plans today. I pray that I will grow closer to You as I learn more about coming with boldness and confidence. Lord, You are the One who invites me in.
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