Thursday, February 27, 2014

Philippians 2:3-4

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
Philippians 2:3-4


This is interesting advice.  It kind of reminds me of what we say to children, telling them to share, or not to fight.  Good things to remember, and probably lessons that we need to relearn throughout our lives.
I think that the advice to think of other people as better than ourselves is especially interesting.  If we took that to heart, we would really be trying to learn from the people around us.  We would see where they excel, and respect them for who they are a lot more.  I definitely don't think that God wants us to hate ourselves here ... we all have inherent and unmistakable worth.  I think he just means, let's see others as people who have learned lessons that we have not, and who are better at things than we are.  Let's acknowledge that and learn from it instead of power struggling with them, or assuming we are somehow far superior.
The second verse in the selection is interesting as well.  I think that it is a good reminder that we should be watching out for everyone, and not just ourselves.  As we take care of each other instead of struggling with them, we make the world a better place.  It might seem like a slow progression to a Zion society, but as we all contribute, it succeeds.  Reminds me of Jacob 5.  Maybe we'll talk about that tomorrow.  Today, let's see the good in others.  Let's see what we can learn from them, instead of participating in strife.  And let's take care of and value each other.

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