How can we esteem others better than ourselves? Is it even
possible to do that? Of course, it is possible in overflowing manner, but only
for regenerated ones, not automatically though except when we choose to exercise.
Otherwise, it would not have given as a command of the Lord.
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or
conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself."
(Philippians 2:3 NKJV)
The answer is Jesus Christ. Although He was equal with God,
He renounced Himself and became in the likeness of man. He renounced His right
completely by emptying Himself. And He obeyed the Father even to the point of
death. Peter wrote regarding Jesus that when He was reviled He reviled not,
when He suffered he did not threaten, but committed Himself to the Father who
judges righteously (1 Peter 2:23). Jesus demonstrated the example how to live
as sons of light in the world. Then God highly exalted the Son and gave Him the
name above every name in heaven and on earth and under the earth (Philippians
2:9-11).
"We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples
of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor
for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself;
but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.'
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we
through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."
(Romans 15:1-4 NKJV)
Every new born Christian is like a baby with regard to the doctrines,
teachings, truths of Jesus Christ. They are called children or the weak in the
faith. But they will grow to the mature called fathers or the strong in the
faith. It takes time in the transformation process according to what God has
planned and designed for each individual. Ruth Bell Graham’s gravestone
inscribed the phrase reflecting the changing process, “End of Construction –
Thank you for your patience.”
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has
not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we
shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2 NKJV)
The more little children grow in truths and doctrines, the
more they become selfless, compassionate, patient, peaceable, loving, kind,
enduring, reliable, and after all mature. The mature do not please themselves
but Lord Jesus. For the sake of Christ, the strong in the faith please
neighbors understandingly and tolerantly. Maturity is in God’s mind for His
children attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. What a
wonderful promise and hope!
“…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge
of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the
fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13 NIV)
Why mature? It’s because the mature think soberly, not
thinking themselves more highly than they ought to think. The strong in the
faith always remember who they were before being accepted by the Lord Jesus
Christ. That’s sober judgment and truth. It’s also because the mature know that
God judges each one according to a measure of faith.
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone
who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,
but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."
(Romans 12:3 NKJV)
Everyone who comes to God must come by faith because without
faith it is impossible to please God.
“But without faith it is impossible
to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He
is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)
“I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.
Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the
earth?” (Luke 18:8 NKJV)
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