“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with 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 purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV)
Don’t you think that the saints of Christ would be encouraged by unity in Christ? Aren’t we comforted by his love? Isn’t the fellowship of the Spirit wonderful? Yes, worship events are marvelous when the waves of spiritual glory roll over the worshippers, but when the tender wooing and compassion of the Holy Spirit settles down upon a congregation there is nothing else like it.
Don’t you think that our Lord is overwhelmed with joy when his saints act with the same mind and the same love, unified in spirit and purpose? In Christianity, most of our problems have occurred when individual believers have allowed their selfish ambition and vain conceit to drive them. Why not just be humble and consider the other person better than yourself? Give him or her credit for his or her gifting and ability. Isn’t our interests important? Well, of course they are and should not be ignored. But, our concerns are not the only ones that are important. Attitude is everything.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Empower us with an attitude that is the same as that of Christ Jesus. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for Christ and live to his glory,