anyone else. I recall an advertise ment by the men's underwear firm with the brand name "BVD's." The captivating slogan had a man proudly declaring, "Next to myself I like BVD's best." How graphically this illustrates man's consuming passion for self. We all have a ten dency to look out for "Number One." There are those who are only happy when they can sing, "Oh what a beautiful morning; Oh what a beautiful day; I've got a wonderful feeling, everything's go ing my way!" Paul refutes man's natural bent for self-satisfaction in our text. It is a Christian refutation of what seems to be a human principle. Our primary goal as a believer is to look out for someone else. We are to take the last place. It is hard enough for some people to con sider others as good as they are, much less better. There is no room for rivalry and personal vanity among those who name Christ as Lord. After all, we are citizens of heaven. We must be united in an aggressive proclamation of the Gospel. The principle Paul states is one found throughout the Bible. The unbeliever naturally puts himself first, others second and God last (if at all). Scripture gives us just the reverse order. The Lord must be first, others second, and ourselves last (Romans 12:10; I Corinthians 9:19-22; Galatians 6:2). This is not to say that one cannot be ambi tious in a proper manner. What is at issue is that as far as our con science is concerned, others are to be considered with compassion ahead of ourselves. Since Jesus gave Himself for others when He went to the cross so any follower of Page 53
there is no merely human rela tionship between believers. It is greater than that for it is a spiritual bond. It is not man-centered but Christ-centered. This fellowship, created by God Himself, comes from above and is wondrously di vine. We are mutually dependent upon Him as well as upon one another. Paul appeals for unity also on the basis of the Christian's knowl edge of God's mercy and compas sion. It is interesting to note that "mercy" is always related to God rather than to man. We find it for example in Romans 12:1, "I be seech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God." If you are a believer then you have experi enced the mercy of God through your salvation. In actuality we all deserve the judgment of hell, separated from God forever. Because of His mercy He saved us, giving us everlasting life. This is the supreme reason why we are to be filled with mercy and compassion to those all around us. May the Holy Spirit challenge our hearts together to see this vital need for spiritual unity in Christ. How is real unity of believers in Christ really possible? Certainly no one would argue its vital necessity! Paul urges the Philippian saints, "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like- minded, having the same love, be ing of one accord, of one mind. 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). It is a fact that we all have strong tendencies to love self more than
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