Philippians 2:1-3 (ESV)

[1] So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. [3] Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

The Apostle writes to the Philippians, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Php 2:3).  That is exactly what he models for them later in the chapter. He is sitting in prison, likely dependent on his friends for encouragement and perhaps even food, yet he says that he is going to send Timothy and Epaphroditus to Philippi. Timothy has been like a son to him, and Epaphroditus has been ministering to his needs, yet he is eager to send them “that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious” (Php 2:28). Paul’s anxiety had nothing to do with his own concerns, but with the welfare of the Philippian believers. Paul’s concern was not for himself, but for others.

Paul reminds the Philippian believers that they “shine as lights in the world” (Php 2:15). In the midst of a “crooked and twisted generation” (Php 2:15) it is the encouragement, comfort, and joy of the believer that shines brightly. When we are focused on the broken world around us it is hard to shine. When we focus on the “encouragement in Christ…comfort from love…participation in the Spirit…(and) affection and sympathy” (Php 2:1) that we find in Christ, then our lights shine brightly. When we are more concerned about others than about ourselves, then our lights shine brightly. When we demonstrate the unity of being “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Php 2:2) then our lights shine brightly. When we allow divisiveness, disappointment, bitterness, hurt, anger, and unforgiveness to permeate the church and our lives, then our light flickers and threatens to go out.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Mt 5:14, 16). As long as we are more concerned about our comfort, our peace, our prosperity, our thoughts, ideas, and concerns, than about those of others, we fail to shine. Let us turn our eyes upon Jesus, love our brothers with the grace and mercy of Jesus, and shine our lights today. Let us heed the Word of God, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Php 2:3). It is when the world sees that in us that they see Jesus.