Scripture: Phil. 2:5-11 (NRSV)
If you had all the money, all the power and all the fame in the world, how would you live your life? Would you be driving a Lamborghini or a Ferrari? Would you own the latest Louis Vuitton bag? Would you change your closet every time there’s a new fashion trend?
In today’s society, the “I” appears to be more important than “them.” If social systems value “I” more than “them,” how can we, as individuals, value “them” more than “I?” It may seem like a challenging task, but it IS possible with God’s help.
When Jesus came to this earth, he could have had all the riches, luxury and fame, but he didn’t. He could have lived in a palace and ruled as a king, but he didn’t. He could have hired all the servants to clean his house, make his food and do his hair, but he didn’t. Instead, Jesus chose to be born in a dirty, stinky stable, Jesus chose to be raised in a poor carpenter’s home, Jesus chose to be the servant and to serve others. Even though he was ridiculed, rejected, despised and humiliated by his own people, Jesus persisted for our sake, to save us. Jesus willingly humbled himself, and he even went so low that he offered himself to die for our sins. Jesus didn’t die just any death. He died the most horrible, degrading and agonizing death, the crucifixion. Isn’t it amazing that Jesus, the all-powerful and all-knowing God, is also the all-humble God? Even though Jesus has all the reasons to be proud, he was humble.
So often, we get carried away with the “I” phrases: “I am…I want…I need… ME, MYSELF and I,” and we forget about “them.” All the “I” builds is pride, and pride doesn’t lead us anywhere but sin. Humility, on the other hand, will be rewarded, blessed and exalted by God. Humility means forgiving, loving and caring for others, not just yourself. Humility also means letting God take charge of your life, and whatever we can’t do, He will. In order to be honored you must first humble yourself, in order to be loved you must first give love, in order to be forgiven you must first forgive, and in order to be blessed you must first bless.
So, today, will you make it your goal to be served or to be a servant?
Scripture: Phil. 2:5-11 (NRSV)
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross. 9Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.