Others By James M. Rice, Jr.


believer is to live the very opposite of the world’s “selfish ambition” and “vain conceit”. But like it or not, both do parade themselves in the church and be- yond. It was John Calvin who said, “These are the two most dangerous plots for disturbing the peace of the church. Strife (selfish ambition) is awakened when everyone stubbornly guards his own opinion; vain-glory (conceit) means any boasting in the flesh. What do people have that they are able to congratulate themselves for except vanity?”


T How we are to Live Following his warning, the Apostle sets forth how we are to live. For me, this


is one of the big “rathers” in the Bible. Rather in humility value others above yourselves, then he proceeds to tell us what humility is: putting others first. One might say this could be called an approved spiritual nosiness. What do you know of the lives of the people you worship with? The people on your street, the people you work with? Oh, you greet them at church or when you see them. But what do you know of the life inside them?


“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interest but each of you to the interest of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)


hese verses are a part of a grand flow of verses that are set to teach believers how to live together in the body of Christ. But for me, they also share a vital truth for life, in the sanctuary and on the street. The


We all would be amazed at the


number of people who leave worship each Lord’s Day with the same hurts they brought in, the same loneliness, the same needs. More times than not, we can spot the burdens, but we just get into some after church chatting. To “value others” you and I can


say something like, “How are things going in your life? Can I be of help?” To value a person means you really care. Of all the people we see on the Lord’s Day or on our street, on the job or at school, do we really care for them in a tangible way? There are older members who never get a phone call or a visit. There are people on our streets who live totally alone.


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The Associate Reformed Presbyterian


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