In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)From a Roman prison, Paul writes to his friends in Philippi. His concern is not for himself, but for the well being of his spiritual children. He explains how Christ put the needs of others before his own, even to the point of dying for our salvation. Let us consider Christ's example.
Who . . . did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;... (v. 6). Our sinful nature encourages us to exploit any advantage and to use the weaknesses of others against them. We attack from high ground, dominating from a position of strength.
...rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant,... (v. 7). Jesus did just the opposite. He made himself nothing, emptied himself, accepted the vulnerabilities of humanity (to the extreme of being born a peasant baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger), and made it his mission to serve, not to conquer.
...he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - even death on a cross! (v. 8) When those he came to serve turned not to him, but against him, he didn't change tactics; he was obedient, loving and giving to the end, a servant in death as in life.
Will you dominate this week, or will you serve?
No comments:
Post a Comment