Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
I love how Paul begins this chapter with three questions that should be easily answered if they are Christ followers. He follows up the questions (Which should have easily been answered "yes") by telling them that if what he was saying is true, they should be united as one. Paul truly loves them (1:8) and wants there to be unity in the church since "[they] are all in this together (1:30). Paul understands the importance of having a community of believers that will encourage you, challenge you, and help you in the tough times. But, he warns them in verse three about selfishness. I don't think its a coincidence that he warns them against selfishness above other things, because selfishness is something that can tear the church apart. The more we focus on OURselves, OUR ambitions, and OUR goals, the more we lose sight of Jesus and His mission for us.
Paul then tells us that we are to have the same attitude that Jesus had.
We are to lay down our desires for God's desires just like Jesus let go of His heavenly position to do the will of the Father on earth. If we can lay down our lives to take the life the Lord has for us, we will be living with an attitude like Christ. Ultimately, if we are living completely surrendered to Christ we will have a life in line with His will. We will be a healthy member of a local body of believers, we will strive for holiness, and we will live lives set a part for Christ.
Lord, I pray that we can each come a little bit closer today to having at attitude like Yours.
needed this today! thanks so much for posting and God bless!
ReplyDelete