Humble Hearts
Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing. Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. Philippians 2:3-7
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In this passage Paul was exhorting the believers at Philippi to demonstrate in practical ways the unity that belonged to them in Christ Jesus, a unity not wrought by human means but by the Holy Spirit within them. Don’t live out of selfish motives but out of love, pouring yourself out as Jesus did, he urged them. Care more about pleasing God than about making a good impression on others.
Our natural human tendency is toward selfishness instead of sacrifice and service, but in a world that rewards self-promotion and puts celebrities on pedestals, God calls us in these verses to assume a lowly place—as Jesus did when he came to earth to serve, not to be served. This King of kings and Lord of all lords made himself nothing and didn’t cling to his rights as God but obediently humbled himself even to the point of dying on the cross. And he is calling us to join his family of servants, to bend over the fallen and lift their load, to be his hands and feet, and to call others to come to his side.
Prayers:
HOLY SPIRIT, work in me a desire to please you rather than to impress people. Forgive me for my selfishness and for focusing on my life, my needs, my problems. Help me to care more about others and their needs and to have a servant’s heart so that you can do your work through me.
Quotes:
IN GOD’S FAMILY THERE IS TO BE ONE GREAT BODY OF PEOPLE: SERVANTS. IN FACT, THAT’S THE WAY TO THE TOP IN HIS KINGDOM.
Charles R. Swindoll (b. 1934)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Isaiah 60:1–62:5; Philippians 1:27–2:18; Psalm 72:1-20 and Proverbs 24:11-12.
