- Significance
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. – Philippians 2:3
How do you interact with Jesus? Perhaps you pray, read your Bible, and worship at church a couple of times a week. Consider the passage in Matthew 25 where Christ describes Judgment Day, when the sheep are separated from the goats. He made the point that how you interact with “the least” is how you treat Him. In this context, how have you been interacting with Jesus lately?
Today’s verse says to “count others“ as more significant than yourself. This may seem like an impossible instruction. Some days you may feel it takes all you have just to care for yourself and your family. The direction is not about responsibility. “Count,” in this instance, means to regard. Whenever you interact with others, treat them as though they are more important than you are. Behave with the kindness and consideration you would like to receive. Intercede for them as you would your loved ones. When the opportunity arises to meet a need that you can fill, do so.
Christ died for everyone. Every individual has value. Jesus said that the Father cares for birds and fields, will He not care for you? (Luke 12:24, 28). When you interact with others, remind yourself that Jesus considered them worth dying for. “While we were still sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). As you pray for the country and early voting begins in parts of the nation, remember the lost and those who are trapped in sin. Ask that they will receive Jesus as their Savior and be released from every sin that has held them captive. Pray for grace to count others as more significant than yourself.
Today’s Verse: Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 25:31-46
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
