FFC Blog

Philippians 2:5-11
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

WOW!
Equality is not something to be grasped..... this causes my heart to sink as I think of all the people in the planet grasping at any or everything to get ahead, even in it's smallest measure. What we do for promotion, and recognition would bring us shame in God's eyes. Truly, from His word, we are to humble ourselves. What does that look like?

In the scripture I find 2 amazing words that are hard to live out.
1. Servant (v7) ...taking on the very nature of a servant. Doing WHATEVER God has for you to do. This could be many different tasks, thoughts, words, actions, etc... Becoming a servant can bring you some of the most daunting tasks, like learning to love the unlovely, or being silent, maybe even doing for people who do not even acknowledge you're even there, much less appreciate your hard work and efforts.

How do you take on the very nature of a servant without getting hurt? (the million$ question)
This seems to be the theme of many servant-hearted people. So many people can become a servant, but then they take on the pain of people personally. This will cause us to get our eyes off of Jesus and on ourselves, then no longer are we humble. Which brings us to the 2nd amazing word of this passage....

2. Obedient (v8)...When Jesus was obedient to the Father it did bring him physical pain, he even died, but all the while through-out the crucifixion process Jesus separated their actions toward Him from his personal feelings. He even said, "forgive them for they know not what they do." This is true obedience, to be always thinking on the Lord, and not on ourselves. When we allow God to be in total control of all facets of our life, He will protect us from the heinous of crimes against us.

All in all we are to be humble servants living in obedience to the Father always bringing honor and glory to His Son Jesus.

so when you feel your attitude overtaking your heart, think on this ..... Philippians 2:5-11

Love ya
Amy