“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, IN HUMILITY VALUE OTHERS ABOVE YOURSELVES, not looking to your own interests but each of you TO THE INTERESTS OF THE OTHERS.” (Phil. 2:3-4) The 2nd commandment principle passed on to us; is, to “LOVE ONE ANOTHER as God loves us” and in humility, to value one another. This is the demonstration of Christ’s love! “In your relationships with one another, HAVE THE SAME MINDSET AS CHRIST JESUS: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, HE MADE HIMSELF NOTHING by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Phil. 2:5-7) We must regard others, better than ourselves, we must honor the good in others above ourselves; for we know our own unworthiness and imperfections better than others!
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–CONTINUE TO WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING, for IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Do everything WITHOUT GRUMBLING OR ARGUING, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation…” (Phil. 2:12-15) Notice, it should concern us above all things to protect the welfare of our own soul: whatever else happens, let us take care of our relationship with Jesus. We are not to judge other people. We are required to work out our salvation, ‘katergazesthe’: working THOROUGHLY on our own salvation, and taking great care to see it through! “…so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” THEN YOU WILL SHINE AMONG THEM LIKE STARS in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.” (Phil. 2:15-16) Jesus is the light of the world, and we as good Christians are lights in the world. When God raises us up we become A LIGHT for Him! “You are the light of the world…” (Matt. 5:14)
WE WILL SHINE AS A LIGHT OF THE WORLD WITH JESUS!
-Bill Stockham