‘Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 2:5 NIV
Think about all the rights we have enshrined in Australian law. The right to education, free speech and communication, to live free of all sorts of discrimination. But, sometimes, we can cling to our ‘rights’ until our fingers turn blue and we’re kicking and climbing on others to keep hold of what we think we’re entitled to. That isn’t Jesus–like. Think about it. Then check out Philippians 2:1–11. That’s right. Jesus ‘…did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for His own benefit… He gave up His place with God and made Himself nothing.’ (Philippians 2:7 NCV) He took on the status of a slave. A slave. The King of the universe didn’t see Himself as too entitled to anything to step right down onto this messy, ignorant earth. And He didn’t step down onto a comfy, shiny, golden throne; He placed Himself in a rough old animal trough. More than that—He died the death of a criminal. He definitely didn’t deserve that. And that’s our example to follow. If stuff that we don’t deserve comes our way (and it will, at some point), Jesus shows us that it’s our job to deal with it gracefully. We’re called to find the balance between living healthy lives for ourselves, and putting others (appropriately) first. Tricky, but it’s definitely do–able. That’s the way that Jesus lives.
SoulFood: 2 Tim 1-4; Luke 22:54-62; Ps 19; Pro 24:19-22
word4U2day (an adaptation of The Word for Today authored by Bob & Debby Gass) is published under licence by UCB Australia. 2014 UCB International Ltd
