Empty Glory

Sunrise from 30,000 feet. The glory of God's creation. 

Scripture

Phil. 2:³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 

Observation

Paul takes us from his “If-Then” statements to his “Not - But” statements in regard to the Christian life. Here he says that we are not to do things with an attitude of selfish ambition or conceit. Calvin called selfish ambition and vain conceit the “two most dangerous pests for disturbing the peace of the church” (Flemming, NBBC) There is something about self-interest here that Paul finds disgusting. This is the same kind of language that he uses for those who preach in order to increase their own fame or popularity. He is repulsed by this behavior, and the term he uses for conceit, or as it its sometimes translated “vain conceit” comes from the combining of two Greek words that mean, “empty,” and “glory.” 

Paul moves from the not statement, to the remainder of the sentence which begins with but — “in humility regard others better than yourselves.” He is getting us prepared for what is coming next because he will talk about the humility of Christ. The concept of humility was disgusting in the eyes of the Greco-Roman world. Humility “was viewed negatively as servility and self-abasement. It was the groveling mentality of a slave—hardly something to be admired or imitated (see Grundmann 1972, 8:1–5).” (Flemming, NBBC) That’s why the call to humility was countercultural. Those competing for status in this Roman colony would have found humility as something only worthy of a slave. 

Infused with a Christlike perspective, Paul calls on the Philippians to adopt a humility that is not seen as “forced servility” but as “a freely chosen service to others, in conformity to the crucified Christ (Thurston 2005, 74).” (Flemming, NBBC) This kind of humility trusts entirely upon God and not upon their own skills, status or human resources, and leaves no place for haughtiness for one is entirely dependent upon Christ. The focus shifts from one’s own personal needs to those of others. 

Application

There is so much written in the Scriptures about the glory belonging to God. What Jesus does is to give glory to the Father. We come together to worship and to glorify God. Even in the midst of difficulties, we are to praise and lift up the name of the Lord. 

Any glory that is outside of that which God has intended is empty. Empty glory is vacuous, like a firecracker that is a dud: you wait in anticipation for something glorious to happen, and then, nothing. 

The world tempts us to take glory for ourselves. It’s a part of the system, the way our culture provides feedback that feeds into our egos. Facebook and other forms of social media have bought into this system, feeding you with likes and shares, all in an attempt to tease you into their net of empty glory. You might have thousands of “friends” on facebook and still be a very lonely person. It’s all empty glory if we think that we are going to achieve some kind of status outside of our relationship to Jesus Christ. 

Paul knew what it was like to pour himself into earthly pursuits and he knew what empty glory felt like. He was a professional persecutor of Christians with power and authority from the highest religious officials of the day. Nothing he did provided him with true fulfillment and contentment until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. 

During this time of COVID the church has had to shift to an on-line presence. As the weeks wear on there is a great temptation to seek out empty glory in the form of likes, unique views, and engagement. We are heading into the week before Pentecost. It was on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the church, filling the people and the space with God’s glory. That’s real glory, and it only comes from God. Any attempt to manufacture glory will be a dud. 

Prayer

Lord, may all glory go to you every day, in all things and through our hearts motivated by your Spirit. Amen.