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.
Are we willing to minister from a position of weakness
rather than leveraging our strength for the win?
TODAY’S MEDITATION
This week, in your dealings
with others, will you choose to dominate or to serve?
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