Selfish Ambition and Vain Conceit: Philippians 2:3-4

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"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

- Philippians 2:3-4

Selfish ambition and vain conceit can motivate, but Paul knows that they poison communities.

Selfish ambition and vain conceit cause us to look only to our own interests. When we do that, we miss out on the interests of others and, as a result, we miss out on joy. 

Does this mean you can't have dreams and aspirations? No. 

Jesus himself had the most ambitious mission in all of history: the restoration and reconciliation of the cosmos. You can't out-dream and out-aspire Jesus. 

Does this mean you can't want to feel good about yourself? No.

You're made in God's image. And he sent his Son to rescue you from every possible voice of condemnation: your own, Satan's, and the law's. 

Being united with Christ and his mission propels us into ambitions that engage our world for good, to love and bless and serve everyone we can. We don't cave in to the self-centeredness of vain conceit because that is a trifle compared to the infinite goodness offered to us in Christ.

And because we've been given God's Spirit, we understand now that self-centered, vain ambitions are a false path to true joy ... even when we struggle to believe it. 

Where are selfish ambition and vain conceit driving you?  What might it look like to put that aside and instead seek the joy of serving and valuing others?   

Where are you seeing community broken by selfish ambition and vain conceit? What is your part in bringing the healing power of Christ into that situation?


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2 Comments

Right now my selfish ambition is to focus on staying well and enjoying the healing I have had the past three horrible months. I am doing well...so right now it is time for me to put me aside and pray for my daughter, who has been so damaged and hurt because of the terrible depression I had all her life. She is in her 40's now, and is burdened with pain that only Jesus can take away. Growing up with a severely depressed mom and seeing me so sick this past spring broke her already broken heart. So I am putting me aside and focusing on my daughter and praying for healing.

Amen....selfish ambition and vain conceit are akin to survival of the fittest....so, when we're stressed about whether it's better for us to strive to take care of self or others....the real question should be....which is better for the world....Christianity or social Darwinism? Jesus knew the answer....and it's self evident.

Glory to the Lamb of God!!

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