May 31, 2021 HAVE THIS ATTITUDE
Philippians 2:2-7 “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty deceit, but with humility of mind let each one of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interest, but also for the interest of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the role of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even on a cross.”
These verses reveal the pathway that leads to a meaningful and fulfilled life. If we live with the focus on ourselves, we will never experience life in the way that God designed. We should have the view that God has redeemed us and has placed us in His family where we are to relate one another as brothers and sisters. This relationship that God has for us is based on an unselfish love; Jesus demonstrated unselfish love. We have been delivered from a life where our primary focus is on ourselves. However, even though God has rescued us from the self-life, we can reject His ways and make the choice to live according to our ways-seeking self-satisfaction. It is a blessing to be a part of the family of God and to live in harmony with the desires and plans that God has for family and relationships. Living according to the ways of God has many benefits and blessings. We can be of the same mind-no arguing and no dissension; we can maintain love, be united in spirit and be intent on one purpose. And how about this-we can regard one another as more important than ourselves! And in addition to looking out for our own interest, we can look out for the interest of others. Here is the really good part- we can have the same attitude that Christ had!! Jesus emptied Himself and humbled Himself and became a servant. We can do the same; we can decide that life is not all about us, but about loving, serving, and blessing others just as Jesus did. This life goes against the ways of the world where the focus is on self; the kingdom of this world is one thing, while the kingdom of God is something drastically different, and the two cannot be comingled. We are to apply the admonitions and instructions of these verses in the nitty-gritty of life. It means that I do not insist on my way, but gladly do what the other person wants to do; it means I consider others more important than myself; it means I look out for the interest of others-as well as my own…you get the point. These verses are not just theoretical or for the sweet by in by, but are for us today. (The life as pictured here is not a ‘pie in the sky’ life, nor does not mean that there will never be conflict; the scriptures instruct us as to how to deal with conflict. Most conflict comes as a result of selfish motives and desires-so living according to the verses above will eliminate most, if not all conflict among believers.) It seems that the core message of these verses is that we are to have the same attitude that Jesus had; by having His attitude as our attitude, we will experience life just as He intended. It is past due time for us as believers to abandon the self life and embrace the selfless life that we are designed to live-to live in our new identity.
Romans 8:6 “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.”
1 John 4:19 “Our love for others is our grateful response to the love of God first demonstrated to us.”
Blessings, Buddy
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