Philippians 2:1-8
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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:1-8 (NIV)
So how do we act to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, by taking the very nature of a servant,” and valuing others above ourselves? For those of you who competed in sports, the answer to that question may be, were you “coachable”? Were you willing to not only listen to your coach(es), but also to execute what they were teaching you?
In relating this to our faith lives, do we hear the message in church, and after walking out the door at the end of the service, “close the door” on God’s message? In effect the sermon and the prayers are one of our last “contacts” with God’s message for us until the following Sunday? In effect, we’re listening to God, but not open to being “coached” in our faith life.
I still attribute a big change in my life and faithlife to Southwood Lutheran’s focus on the book by Rick Warren, “The Purpose Driven Life.” Yes, it may seem like ancient history, as this was most likely in the late 1990s, but if you haven’t read the book, these are five key purposes Warren listed for human life:
- Worship: Offering real worship to God.
- Fellowship: Enjoy real fellowship with others.
- Discipleship: Learning real discipleship through spiritual growth.
- Ministry: Practicing real ministry by serving others.
- Evangelism: Living our real evangelism by sharing faith.
Questions for Reflection:
- Knowing that Jesus sacrificed His life for us, do you sacrifice a specific amount of your time to serve others?
- Are there any of Rick Warren’s 5 key purposes for human life you’d like to focus on, to strengthen your life?
Prayer:
God, You invite me to live a life of obedience, trust and service, because You want the best for me. Please make me eager to follow You, even when I don’t understand Your plan. Give me wisdom to recognize the difference between what I think is best and what Your will is for my life. I want to live out my faith in You with sincerity, passion and service to others.
In Jesus name I pray.
Amen.
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