Get beyond yourself...
The Voice ~
Philippians 2:1-11
2 If you find any comfort from being in the Anointed, if His love brings you some encouragement, if you experience true companionship with the Spirit, if His tenderness and mercy fill your heart; then, brothers and sisters, 2 here is one thing that would complete my joy—come together as one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love. 3 Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. 4 Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first.
5 In other words, adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed. Live with His attitude in your hearts. Remember:
6 Though He was in the form of God,
He chose not to cling to equality with God;
7 But He poured Himself out to fill a vessel brand new;
a servant in form
and a man indeed.
The very likeness of humanity,
8 He humbled Himself,
obedient to death—
a merciless death on the cross!
9 So God raised Him up to the highest place
and gave Him the name above all.
10 So when His name is called,
every knee will bow,[a]
in heaven, on earth, and below.
11 And every tongue will confess[b]
“Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord,”
to the glory of God our Father!
He chose not to cling to equality with God;
7 But He poured Himself out to fill a vessel brand new;
a servant in form
and a man indeed.
The very likeness of humanity,
8 He humbled Himself,
obedient to death—
a merciless death on the cross!
9 So God raised Him up to the highest place
and gave Him the name above all.
10 So when His name is called,
every knee will bow,[a]
in heaven, on earth, and below.
11 And every tongue will confess[b]
“Jesus, the Anointed One, is Lord,”
to the glory of God our Father!
We are called to be like Jesus....
To be conformed to His image....
We need to adopt the mind-set of Jesus the Anointed....
He poured Himself out....
He lived for the interest of others....
He humbled himself......
He was obedient to the Father's will....
I am sure that this was not an easy task. Christ, after all, is the Father of Creation. The Ruler of the universe. He had angels who worshipped Him night and day. But before the foundation of the world, a plan was made. A plan that would require the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son, to come to earth and take on human flesh. This was done so he could empathize with our weaknesses. He took on flesh to be the sacrifice for our sins.
We, too, are called to conform to God's plan. God's plan for us is to be conformed to the image of His Son. The isn't an easy task. Our human nature wants its own way. We don't want to make sacrifices for others. Pride rules our sense of belonging to the "in-crowd". We want our own way.
But we are part of an upside down kingdom....
For our King calls
His subjects, His children, His friends to be like Him.
We don't have to do this on our own. He has empowered us by the Spirit to be conformed to His image. The Spirit and the Word help us in the conforming process.
But one day it will be complete.
The day we see Jesus face to face.
For we will see Him as He really is....
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