July 21, 2018 - Humbled Living is Higher Living

Philippians 2:6–8 reveals the way Jesus thought at his incarnation when he took a human body. SO it helps us to understand how he wants his redeemed followers to live our human lives.

“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.

We  are not naturally inclined to think of ourselves in a lesser way nor are we taught such in today's secularized culture. In fact we are inclined and taught the exact opposite. Yet the Lord Jesus when he was born in a manger began his human life of humility which ultimately brought him to the cross! So we see our view of living is much different than the Lords, in reality totally opposite.

We are inclined and taught to think much higher of ourselves. We desire more recognition. More achievement. More attention. More exaltation. Yet our Lord in human flesh shows us we should think lower of ourselves. We should have more humility, more service, more sacrifice.

We are inclined and taught to promote ourselves yet Christ modeled emptying ourselves, ( Luke 2:7). We are inclined and taught to think self gratification yet Christ taught by lip and life to serve others, (Mark 10:45).

We are inclined to disobedience yet Christ lived in obedience to the Father and teaches us to live our lives seeking to please the father not our flesh, ( John 8:29 ).

Christ chose death for mankind bringing salvation to all who would repent and receive by faith his atoning work on the cross.  Yet human nature is inclined to choose temporal life and short term success in this world at the expense of long term loss in eternity.

For those who have received Christ and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit it is possible to think and live like Christ. In his power we can choose a different way of life. As we do it will change our life and transform our daily thoughts and actions. Bringing results that are abundant and eternal.

Which direction will you think about yourself?

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus"—Philippians 2:5