Philippians chapter 2 and we'll
read verses 3 and 4. The epistle of Paul to the Philippians
chapter 2 and reading verses 3 and 4. Let nothing be done
through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind let
each esteem other better than themselves. look not every man
on his own things but every man also on the things of others. The scriptures are very comprehensive
and very instructive and they direct us with regards to our
natural and our spiritual life as we journey on through this
world. and the apostle writing here
to the Philippians was very aware of the necessity of writing in
this vein. Of course it wasn't only on that
occasion because really such statements are true and necessary
for the church of God right down through the ages and indeed they're
necessary today and no doubt it will be necessary down to
the end of time. apostle says let nothing be done
through strife or vainglory. That of course means what it
says we shouldn't allow anything to enter into our hearts or minds
or conversation or actions which will produce strife or vainglory
because these things are not for God's glory, they are really
just for ourselves. We need to be very conscious
that when we are on the earth, which we are, we should be concerned
for God's glory. And remembering what the Apostle
Paul confessed to be from his heart before God, he tells us
that he was less than the least of all saints, and that he was
the chief of sinners. Well, that was a wonderful statement
and a wonderful truth. And it's good if you and I have
come to that kind of position, are able to confirm that as we
look at ourselves, we come into that category, the chief of sinners,
and also that we are the least of all saints. Well, that's what
the apostle thought of himself, and that's why he was able to
write in this vein, because he come right down to that low place. And that's why he was able to
write in an honest and forthright way to tell us, let nothing be
done through strife or vain glory. Well, when he wrote to the Galatians,
which we've already of course gone through some good time ago
now in the fifth chapter and 26th verse this is what he says.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another,
envying one another. Because that glory considering
ourselves is really vain I suppose we could actually consider it
to be a vanity. And that's why Solomon said,
all is vanity of vanities and vexation of spirit. So these
things do not really benefit us in any way. In reality, they
go the opposite way. And so he says, let nothing be
done through strife or by glory. And then he speaks on the opposite
way really in the 12th of Romans and the 10th verse where he says,
be kindly affection one to another with brotherly love in honor
preferring one another. That means putting other people
first, not ourselves, other people first. And again, our natural
mind goes in an opposite direction. what a blessing if we have received
the grace of God to recognize the truth of these words because
as the apostle tells us he goes on this third verse but in lowliness
of mind let each esteem other better than themselves lowliness
of mind and that means of course that we're not to say one thing
and think another thing we need to be all of one piece. We need to consider that the
Lord sets before us these great truths in his word to encourage
us. We read together in that first
chapter, sorry the 15th chapter in the epistle of Paul to the
Romans, and the first two verses give us some good instruction.
Again the apostle tells us, we then that are strong or to bear
the infirmities of the weak. That means we are to be kind-hearted
to those who perhaps are weak and are not strong in themselves.
We're not to therefore judge them in a wrong way and not to
please ourselves. Let every one of us please his
neighbor for it's good to edification and of course, as we know, the
command of Almighty God is to love our neighbor as ourselves. If we just stop and just ponder
these things and to think, well, if we were all able to walk out
these exhortations, what a difference the world would be in. What a
different place it would be. But it is, of course, because
of our pride and because of our vainglory that we find these
situations develop. Well you know the God's servant
the Apostle John speaks also about diatrophies and what he
says about him is this, who loveth to have the preeminence among
them and as such Receiveth us not. See, Paul was in his own
eyes less than the least of all saints. By Diotrephes' desire
to be the greatest, he desired to have the preeminence. He wanted
to be well thought of. Well, it's good to be well thought
of if we are true followers of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Well, in a state of grace, as
the great apostle did, you see, just like this. Well, what a
mercy if we find ourselves there. And then we come on to this fourth
verse, which tells us, look not every man on his own things,
but every man on the things of others. Again, that's a good
thing to be found doing. Not looking after just our own,
looking after ourselves. but concern about others. That's like really that parable
of the Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan came and didn't
look after himself, he looked after the poor man. Whereas the
priest and Levi, they looked after themselves. And they walked
by the other side. They didn't want to be involved. They didn't want to find themselves
occupying that kind of situation. We're told, look, not every man
on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. That means to see whether there
are those who need help, where are those who need encouragement? Perhaps there are those who need
direction and guidance, but you know the great secret is to do
all things in love. We don't do things in love, we
make a big mistake. if we don't do things in love
it's probably because we're seeking after vain glory, but if we're
nothing in ourselves what a blessing it is if we're seeking then for
the honor and the glory of almighty God. You may remember when the
Lord Jesus was on the earth and we have that wonderful prayer
of his in the 17th of John and he starts that prayer in a very
wonderful way and it's a way just to take notice of for ourselves
in our little lives. This is what he says, these words
spoke Jesus and lifted up his eyes to heaven and said father
the hour has come glorify thy son that thy son also may glorify
thee. This really should be our concern
that the Lord Jesus Christ is honored and glorified in our
little life and in the fifth verse he also said and now oh
father glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which
i had with thee before the world was well when the blessed lord
is honored and glorified his name is lifted up know there
is that blessing and wonderful drawing power to the Saviour. And may we know it, may we prove
it, may we desire to walk out these words as the Apostle directed
the Philippians. Let nothing be done through strife
or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind. Let each esteem other
better than themselves, Look not every man on his own things,
but every man on the things of others.