Strength for Today

Last Sunday in our Bible class we were talking about the need for unity in the church. Paul wrote about "being like-minded, having the same love, being of one mind" (Phil. 2:2). How do we get there? Read on. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself" (v. 3). There it is. The secret to unity. Humility! I think the last seven words of verse 3 contain the secret: let each esteem others better than himself. What if the "senior minister" considered those to whom he preachers "better than himself"? What if all the Bible teachers did the same? And suppose we carried this "radical" teaching over to the home? What if the husband esteemed his wife "better than himself"? And the wife did likewise? And the parents to the children and vice versa? Now take it to the work place. Take it to the neighborhood. Take it to the community. This is going beyond love your neighbor as yourself. This is consider your neighbor better than yourself. See the difference? Think it would make any difference in our churches, marriages, homes, and communities? We won't know until we try. Paul concludes: "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others" (v. 4). Others! The antidote to self.