"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." Philippians 2:1-4
Many people even Christians live only to make a good impression on others or to please ourselves. When we're concerned only for ourselves, seeds of discord are sown. As friends and Christ lovers, l stress spiritual unity to love one another and work together with one heart and purpose “being of one accord and of one mind".
When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our own, we demonstrate Christ's example of putting others first, and we create unity. Let’s not be so concerned about making a good impression or meeting our own needs that we may strain relationships with others. We must feel and show kindness and affectionate sympathy to others.
As we are all from so many different backgrounds and walks of life, it might be difficult to maintain unity at times. But being bounded together in Christ, makes it possible for us to have this unity showing the outside world its possible regardless what our differences might be in the eyes of others.
Jesus is not only equal to God He is God. Though He is God He became man in order to fulfil God's plan of salvation for us. He did not just pretend to have a man's body - He actually became a man to identify with man's sins. He voluntarily laid aside His divine rights and privileges out of love for us and out of trust and obedience to His Father. He died on the cross for our sins, so we wouldn't have to face eternal death. Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up His rights in order to obey God and serve us. Like Christ, we must serve out of love not out of guilt or fear.
We often excuse selfishness, pride, or evil by claiming our rights. As children of God, we should have an attitude just like Jesus Christ. One that enables us to lay aside our rights in order to serve others selflessly. If we say we follow Christ, we must live as He lived. We should develop the attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts.
Are you selfishly clinging to your rights, or are you willing to serve selflessly? When we are totally committed to serving Christ; sacrifice for the faith of others is indeed a JOYOUS REWARD!!!
By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved 2014.
Many people even Christians live only to make a good impression on others or to please ourselves. When we're concerned only for ourselves, seeds of discord are sown. As friends and Christ lovers, l stress spiritual unity to love one another and work together with one heart and purpose “being of one accord and of one mind".
When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our own, we demonstrate Christ's example of putting others first, and we create unity. Let’s not be so concerned about making a good impression or meeting our own needs that we may strain relationships with others. We must feel and show kindness and affectionate sympathy to others.
As we are all from so many different backgrounds and walks of life, it might be difficult to maintain unity at times. But being bounded together in Christ, makes it possible for us to have this unity showing the outside world its possible regardless what our differences might be in the eyes of others.
Jesus is not only equal to God He is God. Though He is God He became man in order to fulfil God's plan of salvation for us. He did not just pretend to have a man's body - He actually became a man to identify with man's sins. He voluntarily laid aside His divine rights and privileges out of love for us and out of trust and obedience to His Father. He died on the cross for our sins, so we wouldn't have to face eternal death. Jesus Christ was humble, willing to give up His rights in order to obey God and serve us. Like Christ, we must serve out of love not out of guilt or fear.
We often excuse selfishness, pride, or evil by claiming our rights. As children of God, we should have an attitude just like Jesus Christ. One that enables us to lay aside our rights in order to serve others selflessly. If we say we follow Christ, we must live as He lived. We should develop the attitude of humility as we serve, even when we are not likely to get recognition for our efforts.
Are you selfishly clinging to your rights, or are you willing to serve selflessly? When we are totally committed to serving Christ; sacrifice for the faith of others is indeed a JOYOUS REWARD!!!
By Enyonam Gbekle. All rights reserved 2014.
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