Philippians 2: 1-13
If you have any encouragement from being united in Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with his Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.
Your attitude should be the same of that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father.
Therefore my dear friends, as you have aways obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
A Thought
As believers in Christ, we are to continue to become more like Christ by being humble with unselfish love for God and one another. Paul reminds us of the attitude of Christ that although he was equal to God, Christ being in the form of human likeness, humbled himself and took on the nature of a servant and became obedient to his Father even unto death on the cross for our sins. If we have the nature of Christ, God will lead us to do things in accordance to his will. We must humbly submit our will to become God’s will with the interest of others at work within us for the glory of God.
Our Prayer
Father forgive us for caring for our own needs above the needs of others. Humble us into submission to obedience to you as we take on the nature of Christ. Encourage us to have compassion for others. Continue to teach by the power of your Spirit to humble ourselves to fully place our trust in you. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
