Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Philippians 2:3
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. John 13:16
There are many attitudes that we have, pride, complacency, laziness, diligence, courage, despair and many more. But all our attitudes, good or bad as they may be, need to be surrendered to Christ. There is one particular attitude that I believe is the very basis for Christian living. This attitude was taken on and fully displayed in it's purest quality by Jesus Christ Himself Who is the founder of our faith. It is the attitude of servanthood.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory. Our words and actions are not supposed to fashioned to attract glory and honour to ourselves. A servant is humble. His purpose is not to be great, but rather to stand silently waiting to do as he is bid. A servant does not complete his task and say to his lord, "Look how well I have done this." It is expected of him to perform it. He is not obliged to receive thanks or praise, but he is commanded to do his duty.
In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. This is not saying that you must say, "you are better than me at so and so." People by nature and practice are better at different activities. However, we are to think as others and their needs as more important as your own. This is the attitude of Christ. Jesus had nowhere to lay his head, yet he gave his life to minister to others. When his cousin was beheaded, he went away to get some rest, "but when he saw the multitude he had compassion on them and began to teach them many things." He thought of their needs above his own. On the cross Jesus thought about me, he wasn't considering His own comforts and pain. This is the attitude of Christ. I must surrender all my selfish attitudes to become a servant.
The servant is not greater than his lord. Upon taking upon the attitude of servanthood we make every person we meet a master. Not that we worship everyone, Jesus is our Master, but if we are serving one another, then in that moment consider that person your master. Your duty is to serve them. Jesus Himself took on a servants role and washed His disciples' feet. And so must we esteem each other higher than ourselves. Serve them because as Christ we put them in a higher position than ourselves. We get on our knees below them and wash their feet. This is the attitude of servanthood.
agree with what you say in principle, but there must also be safe gaurds in place. Some people could take this to the extreme and become a doormat that other people just walk all over. There are many manipulative people who will abuse others. Someone with a very sensitive spirit may feel that have to do everything that person demands to show that they have a servant heart. Often times people have suffered spiritual abuse by church leaders who put way too much pressure on sensitive or young Christians who feel they have to do everything that's asked of them. The principle of putting others needs first is right, but like everything else in life we need wisdom and understanding in how to put it into practice in real life situations.
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