Verses for 1st point:
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
My Opinions
As I’m reading verses 1-11, I can’t help but notice that we are instructed to put others before ourselves. I find it extremely impactful that God used His son, Jesus Christ to set the example. Jesus went so far as to lower His status as God to mere human, but not just any human, a servant. A contrasting reminder that we are to serve others before our selves.
POINT 1 – SERVANT-HOOD IS KING!
Verses for 2nd point:
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
My Thoughts
There are 3 things I took from this passage of scripture,
- We are called to OBEY.
- We are called to not ARGUE or GRUMBLE.
- We are called to REJOICE in our USEFULNESS.
1. Obedience
Our OBEDIENCE is not dependent on OUR perception or opinion of what God wants. It is based solely on God WORKING in our lives for HIS glory.
2. ATTITUDE
I find this verse very “at odds” with how I’ve lived my life. I often wonder is there a difference between fighting for what I believe, in terms of doing my work or am I arguing. Case in point, I will often times analyze what my job assignment is and determine whether it’s worth it to do based on some factors. If I don’t agree with some aspects of it I will go and make a scene to get what I want. Am I ARGUING or am I fighting for what is right? I am leaning towards the idea that OUR influence to others matters more than to focus on FACTORS of a job assignment. If that is the case, I will need to adjust My opinion to be more biblical.
3. REJOICE
In verses 17-18, We are seeing how Paul, rejoices. I have an opinion, maybe he is REJOICING. Just because he has a use to God.
POINT 2 – THE WAY WE BEHAVE INFLUENCES (VERSE 15)
I hope You enjoyed this bible reading. What is Your opinion or belief on these verses.
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