Philippians 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
There is a lot of talk these days about having ‘esteem’, usually a lot of it is about ‘self’ esteem. We seem to be a cult society, compared to all the societal structures of the past, in this particular regard. We will do anything to make sure that people ‘respect’ us; make sure they lift us up. We don’t try to ‘earn’ that right any more; we just EXPECT it to be granted to us by virtue of the fact that we are ‘a human being’. We look into the mirror and then we turn it upon others and say, ‘see how good I am’. When they don’t agree we get crushed.
Looking into the Scriptures I see a different sort of pattern. I see that there is ONE who is worthy of the highest esteem – we call that worship. I see that there is one mandate or law that permeates the text; love your neighbor as yourself. Now that does not mean love yourself with vainglory; rather, it means love your neighbor as you would love yourself. Would you murder yourself? Then don’t do it to your neighbor. Would you destroy yourself? Then seek not the destruction of your neighbor. Would you set a snare for your own feet? Then do not cause your brother to stumble. This is the Law of Love. There is one point of esteem for all men; the body of Christ.
Yes, from the pages of the text, I do find the word ESTEEM; however, as in the passage above, it IS something granted to another, but not because that other ‘deserved’ that esteem; rather as an act of humility on the part of the one GIVING the esteem. The burden of responsibility IS placed squarely on the saints, and they are accountable to God for their surrender to His will in this matter. Humility. The spirit of Christ. The spirit of Paul. The spirit of the Godly one. The spirit of grace and truth. These are the jewels of the scriptures that people admire.
When did Paul boast? Only in teaching fools. When did Christ boast? It says he never lifted his voice in the streets. Clothed in humility. Humility is me lowering my ‘need for esteem’ to be surrendered to another who truly needs my esteem; everyone else. When we fight for our GLORY then strife and superiority prevail. When we fight for THEIR GLORY then lowliness of mind, of heart, of soul occur. Compassion pours out of us when we fight for THEIR BENEFIT, because He Who Knows will share with us the things that we should admire IN THEM, and the things that should be corrected in them because HE wants them to be esteemed even more.
The best answer to the esteem question is found in this verse: “
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” (Proverbs 27:2) And what if they don’t? It’s okay. God sees. Don’t forget the following chilling passages: Matt 6:2,5,16. And this blessed passage: Matt 5:12. The GOD give you your esteem. You pass it on.
Original Copyright: © Anthony J. Massotti Th.M., Th.M. 5/02/2004