The 'Me' Stuff

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, 

but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests 

but also for the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

I’ve had lots of questions about how church works and also about how my role as a church member should best be lived out. I wonder if this isn’t the answer. 

It’s incredibly sad how many mini wars go on in our churches today and how incredibly easy it is for a church to split. It seems like we have bought into our cultures’ mindset. The only person that matters is ‘me’. So if ‘me’ is not getting it’s way, ‘me’ will go somewhere where it can get its way. Often times ‘me’ gets a group of other ‘me’s’ stirred  up so they start another church which works for a while. Then some of those ‘me’s’ are no longer getting their way so they start another new church. On and on the story goes. It’s easy to see those problems. It’s much harder to see where the root of those problems lies. I think we have a lot of hidden problems that can lead to divisions rather than leading to ‘being like minded, having the same love, being of one accord and one mind’ (2:2) . 

I think it all boils down to the ‘me’ stuff. The selfish ambition or conceit--make ‘me’ look good, make ‘me’ prosper, etc. The neglect to look out for others--it’s my way or the highway attitude. Things that might not always be seen but are always present. I see it all over my heart and it’s rather frightening. Instead of seeing my brothers or sisters struggles and caring deeply enough to support them through prayer and encouragement. I look at them and stick my nose in the air and think, “What idiots. I mean really, they can’t get that under control??”,  my attitude no better than the Pharisees. I see people doing things I know God doesn’t want me to do and I think that I am a ‘super’ Christian, extra holy or something. It’s all wrong. ALL WRONG. 

My cultures, ‘me’ worship has made it’s way into my own heart. In all fairness, it’s not just my culture, it’s humanity in general. My flesh has far too much control of me. It’s frightening.

The definition of esteem is, to regard highly or favorably; regard with respect or admiration. Basically, ‘let each respect/admire others more than themselves’. That means, no slander, no holier than thou attitude, no disrespectful thoughts, no hidden attitudes of the heart. Absolutely no ‘me’ stuff. 

It’s so easy to hide things inside. It’s so easy to think that someone is totally stupid, and you’re not even going to waste your time or prayers on them. It’s easy to think that you are better than someone. It’s quite easy to develop an attitude. Incredibly hard to remove one. It’s easy to leave. Very difficult to sacrifice. It’s far easier to receive than it is to give. I like the easy stuff, I like the ‘me’ stuff. That’s where I have it all wrong. 

Wouldn’t it make it much easier to ‘be like minded, having the same love, be of one accord and one mind’ if I would just nip these things in the bud? If I would live this verse perhaps I would truly discover what being a part of the church really means. 

“Let nothing (thoughts, actions, attitudes) be done through selfish ambition or conceit (look out for only me, my way or the highway, holier than thou), 

but in lowliness of mind (look at myself for what I am, a sinner saved by the kindness of an incredibly merciful God) let each esteem (respect/admire) others better than himself (Their struggles do not make them less of a person, pray for them, ecourage them, believe in them). Let each of you look out not only for his own interests (what makes me prosper, what makes me feel good, leaving because I’m not getting my way) but also for the interests of others (what makes them prosper, what makes them better, even if it means I must sacrifice).”

Philippians 2:3-4