Good morning,
I like the apostle Paul. He was a great man of faith and yet practical, who saw the simplicity of life. Philippians 2:1-4, he challenges the Philippians on how to conduct themselves.
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
He wanted them to be humble. It was his goal that the Philippians lived in unity. Unified around the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings. He wanted them to follow the example of Jesus found in Philippians 2:5-8.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
Paul explains how Jesus, the Son of God, chose to come to earth, become man, serve others, and humbled Himself, dying for the sins of all mankind. He was God. He knew no sin. He willingly came to pay my sin debt. That is humility.
Does this passage challenge us to be more unified around the things of Christ? To be humbler? To seek to serve as opposed to being served? To be obedient to the word of God?
It should be our goal to incorporate these principles into our own lives. Let’s try.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001
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