When love is the motive, sacrifice is never measured or mentioned. – Unknown
Daily Scripture
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ~ Philippians 2:5-8
Study
While the theme of the first chapter of the book of Philippians is Jesus Christ first, the subject of chapter 2 is others next. The verses above, are a portion of Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi and that specific instruction and encouragement to be servants and have submissive minds.
Paul talks about being humble.
Humble: not proud or arrogant; modest; having a feeling of insignificance; low in rank, importance, status, quality; to lower in condition, importance or dignity.
So what does it mean to be a humble person; to have humility? The humble person is not one who thinks ill of himself, but one who doesn’t think of himself at all. The truly humble person knows himself and accepts himself and yields himself in obedience to Jesus to be a servant – for the Glory of God and the good of others.
In verse 5-6 above we see a humble man’s eyes and mind are turned off of himself and onto others. He sees the needs of others, and he thinks of others. He has the mind of Christ, and his attitude proves it.
In verse 7 we see that thinking of others, he also serves others. It is not just good words he speaks, but his actions follow with true service. Paul was a servant, but his example and our most excellent example is Jesus.
Jesus thought of others and became a servant. The Bible says that He made Himself of no reputation. He emptied Himself and laid aside His own attributes as God. He became human in a sinless physical body, and He used that body to be a servant…meeting the needs of others all the way to the cross where He willingly died for others.
Jesus was a servant, and He was humble. His service cost. The genuinely humble man will naturally pay the price to serve others because their mind is on others and not themselves. Many people are willing to help if it cost nothing, but if there is a price, they lose interest. In verse 8 we see Jesus became “obedient unto death.”
Meditation
Jesus didn’t avoid sacrifice and neither should I. My attitude as I walk through this Christian life should be one of willing submission for the glory of God and the good of others. If paying a price will honor Jesus and help others, I should willingly pay it. Will there be suffering? Very likely…but I do believe the test of the submissive mind of Christ is not how much I am willing to take in terms of suffering but how eager I am to give in terms of sacrifice.
One of the interesting things about this Christian life is that the more we give, the more we receive; the more we sacrifice, the more God will bless.
I will close out with two quotes I read today:
When love is the motive, sacrifice is never measured or mentioned. – Unknown
Ministry that costs nothing, accomplishes nothing. – J.H. Jowett
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come before you today and declare that You are wonderful and magnificent and all knowing and YOU are the Lord of me. I declare that You are supreme and You are the great I AM! You alone Lord. Father, I come before You today having blown it again in so many ways. Did I have the mind of Christ today? Not when I compare it to Your Holy Word. Father, forgive me for allowing my mind to wander and to get caught up in trivial things and imaginations. Help me, Father, to keep my focus on You and Your Word and Your will. Help me to see You when I see others and help me to step up and be a servant. Help me to be one so willingly that it is just the outflow of my heart because of my relationship with You. Help me to know You and love You more and more and as I work and serve may YOUR LOVE and Your Presence be my strength and my only drive. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen!!!
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts. ~ Haggai 2:4
A Little Something Extra
The New Testament is full of all kind of instruction in how to live with one another. Here are just a few:
- Prefer one another Romans 12:10
- Edify one another 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- Bear one another’s burdens Galatians 6:2
- Don’t judge one another Romans 14:13
- Rather admonish one another Romans 15:14
- Serve one another 1 Peter 4:10
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