“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…”

Why? Because our standing as sons and daughters of God has nothing to do with us; it has everything to do with God. If we are Christians it is because God saved us through Jesus Christ. If we are Christians it is because God’s Holy Spirit has convicted us of our sins and helped us to repent and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. It’s all God’s doing. It’s all God’s grace.

We are told by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Because salvation is all God’s doing, it would be silly for us to take credit for being Christian. That’s just embarrassing. We didn’t do anything to earn it. God did it all.

That’s why, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.”

“Rather,” we are told, “in humility value others above yourselves.” Because of all that God has done for us, in humility value others above yourselves. The word “value” there means literally to “count,” “think,” “consider.” Because of all that God has done for sinners through Jesus Christ, we who have been redeemed are to value, count, think of, consider others above ourselves.

Why? Because the primary difference between those who have been saved and those who have yet to be saved is forgiveness. We are forgiven. Those who have yet to be saved are yet to be forgiven because they have not repented. We are no better than anyone else. As a preacher once said, “Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar to find bread.”

That’s what we’re doing when we tell others about Jesus. We are telling others how to find forgiveness.

So, “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

Every moment of the day we are being shaped, discipled, molded.

If we do nothing, if we are complacent, if we do not discipline our thinking, we are constantly being shaped by unhealthy ideologies, discipled by social media, and being molded by false beliefs of the popular culture. It’s no wonder you can’t tell a difference in the way most “Christians” think and perceive the world around them from those who do not know Jesus Christ. The same things are important to both. The same things are valued by both. There is no difference.

Or, we are being shaped, discipled, and being molded by God’s truth revealed in his Holy Scripture, by solid biblical teaching and preaching, and through the peer-pressure of other God-believing Christians. When the Bible shapes our character and our values, there is a visible and tangible difference in the things that Christ-followers value compared to those who do not know Jesus.

When Paul writes, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world…” Paul has in mind the image of a mold squeezing and tightening clay. The world is constantly pressuring Christians to act like the world. The political correctness of “woke” people put the squeeze on Biblical committed ideologies.

Be wise on who is shaping, discipling, and molding you. If you are a Christ-follower, this is a no brainer. The word of God is our authority.

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36).

You’ve heard people say it. When someone they know dies they say “Uncle Bob is watching over us as an angel in heaven.”

That may be sweet. That may make one feel better about the death of a loved one. But there is not one shred of evidence in scripture that this is what happens when people die. In fact, we know without a shadow of doubt that people do not become angels when they die.

Angels are created beings just like human beings are created beings. Angels were present with God before the creation of the world – “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand….On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7).

Just like dogs don’t become people when they die, people do not become angels when they die. Angels were created by God for the purpose of serving his kingdom.

Popular culture may believe whatever they want. But not so with Christians. Christians believe what the Bible teaches.