Tag: obedient
Unity and humble service
Scripture reading for September 3: Philippians 2
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death upon a cross.” Philippians 2:1-8
A great key to living a life that pleases God is to find unity with Christ and His followers. Paul understood the basics of building unity were found in Christ Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Jesus was motivated by a deep love for God and those created in His image. He chose to only do what the Father desired, so that He and the Father were One. He gave up personal privilege and comfort as God’s Son to take on human flesh and suffering temptation like all other men, but without sin. He then willingly gave His life on the cross as a sacrifice for all mankind that the penalty of sin would be paid for.
When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, He will lead us in unity with God the Father and Jesus. He will give us a heart of love for God and mankind. He will help us to focus on what pleases God and best serves those in His image. We begin to value others higher than ourselves and look out for their highest good. We become servants of God on behalf of others, sharing with them the Gospel in loving actions and words of truth. We put God and Christ first and unity is the byproduct of humble hearts that follow Jesus by the Holy Spirit.
How does Paul’s call to humble service and imitating Jesus clash with the world view of our culture? Why is there so little unity in our culture and even the church? Do you ever struggle with viewing others as better than yourself, especially those who are themselves proud and conceited?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for sometimes lacking true humility towards others who may be proud and disobedient. Help me to maintain the unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace as I serve You by loving them and serving them. Thank You for the mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit in me. Amen.
Obeying the heavenly vision
Scripture reading for June 10: Acts 26
“”Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:19-23
Paul, lead by the Holy Spirit, was given the opportunity to share the Gospel with King Agrippa. In this account, Paul again shared how his view of Jesus and those following Him was radically altered by an encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road. During this encounter, Paul was given an appointment to serve Jesus as a witness to his people as well as to the Gentiles. Jesus had promised to deliver Paul from the Jews and from the Gentiles. Through Paul, God would open the eyes of all those in darkness granting repentance through Jesus Christ. (Acts 26:15-18)
In sharing his personal repentance in response to God’s revelation of Jesus Christ to King Agrippa, Paul was obedient to that vision. His world view was powerfully altered and after the vision Paul changed from a persecutor and killer of Christ’s followers to a witness of Christ’s love and mercy for all men. Paul powerfully proclaimed Jesus as the fulfilment of Moses and the prophets through His suffering, death, and resurrection from the dead. This placed him in conflict with the Jews, who like him before this vision, considered Jesus an impostor and his followers as dangerous.
Have you ever had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ that brought repentance and dramatic conversion? How have you sought to be obedient to that heavenly revelation? Are you aware of the conflict that comes when you change your world view to embrace Jesus and His followers?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your personal revelation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and my appointment to preach Your amazing Gospel. I have sought to obey that heavenly vision and continue to daily walk it out. Deliver me from those bent on my destruction and use me to reach lost people. Amen.