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It is true that some preach Christ out of envy
and rivalry…preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing
that they can stir up trouble… (Philip.1:15-17)
It's so familiar in Christian circles as to be a cliché. Those people
that, if they can't be in charge of the pulpit they'll try and take
control of the prayer meeting. If they can't do that they will make
sure they dictate what hymns are sung, who is in charge of finance or
where the piano is situated. In any situation you can be sure their
voice will be heard and their views aired and others are resigned to
raising eyebrows behind their backs.
Often no more than an irritation such people can sometimes become a
real problem. Anyone who's been a churchgoer long enough and kept their
eyes open and wits about them will know the damage that envy, rivalry
and selfish ambition can do. Yet Paul sets an example by looking to
the prayers of the saints and the Spirit of Christ (v.19) to offer him
hope and help him be all he should be (v.20).
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or
vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves
(2:3)
This is no contest to find who is the better person. 'Better' here means
more important and Paul is encouraging us to have a servant heart. This
cuts across self-interest and gets to the heart of the gospel, i.e.
we have a servant king and we are a servant people. Jesus said:
He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will
be exalted (Luke 18:14)
In other words, to fulfil kingdom ambition we must lay aside personal
ambition and put others first.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to
the interests of others (2:4)
Of course our jobs are important, our families matter, and our own well
being needn't be neglected but as we go about looking after all these
things we must be sensitive to others' needs. It is the mark of kingdom
living and marks out the heaven bound from the earthbound.
What can you do this week to raise your head above the petty, the vain
and the selfish of this world and model kingdom living, putting others
first, being sensitive to their needs and understanding their shortcomings?
You are not alone in this. It's what Christ died to make us, servants
in his kingdom. What will you let him make of you and your life?
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