Word for the day by Christian education forum

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Christ’s humility brings true peace

Bible Reading:  Philippians 2:5-11

Key Verse: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.” (Phil. 2:9)

DEVOTION

The letter to the Philippians is one of the authentic epistles in the Bible authored by Paul. In this epistle, Paul pours out his heart into words and genuinely exhorts people of Philippians to be Christ-like and urges them to always carry His attributes. Phil 2: 5-11 is said to be one of the pure jewels in the New Testament. It’s depth and beauty are beyond human comprehension.  Christ abandoned his sovereign position, came down from heaven, emptied himself on the cross and lost his life to give us eternal life. He was exalted into heaven and was given the name above all names. 
Be Christ-like (v 2:5): Paul is urging us to possess all the attributes of Jesus Christ. Paul does not call on individuals to imitate Christ in the privacy of their prayer closets, but he calls on all the Christians to imitate Christ in every aspect of our dealings. We ought to clothe ourselves with humility, kindness, sacrifice, selflessness, gentleness, and compassion. Paul calls us to adopt Christ’s mindset. 
Jesus abandoned His sovereign position (v 2:6):Jesus always existed in the form of God, even before Bethlehem. John 8: 58 affirms the existence of Jesus even before creation. “Before Abraham was, I am”. Here Paul states that Jesus is the direct representation of invisible God. Jesus had the fullness of equality with God, but He was willing to abandon it for the salvation of mankind. He was wounded for our transgressions and was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus led a sinless life but he became sin for the mankind.
Jesus emptied Himself (v 2:7, 8): He willingly gave up the glory of divinity to become human. He poured out everything until he was completely dry. He came down from heaven, humbled himself to death and became a shame for us on the cross (Hebrews 12: 2). He came not to be served but to serve. This is the true essence of Christmas, God emptied himself and incarnated as human. 
Humiliation (v 2: 9-10): Humility, obedience and self-renunciation are the three supreme attributes of Jesus Christ mentioned in this Bible portion. As Christians, we ought to possess humility, obedience, selflessness and self-renunciation. Selfishness, self-seeking, and self-display destroy our likeness to Christ and our fellowship with each other. 
Exaltation (v 2:11): God the father exalted Jesus and raised Him from the dead and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name because of His obedience, humiliation, and submission. The day will come that every knee shall bow, and every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. The goal of Christ’s exaltation is the glory of God the father. “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you” (James 4:10).
 

   PRAYER

Abba Father, thank you for abandoning your sovereign power, for taking the curse for us on the cross and for your extreme sacrifice of love and selflessness. Help us to humble ourselves to do your will. Open our minds and hearts to confess your name which is above all names. Amen.



Thought of the day

Adopt Christ's mindset: Embrace humility, kindness, selflessness, and obedience, reflecting His love in all actions.

Princey Thomas
Immanuel Marthoma Church, Houston

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