Focus: Philippians 2:7 - KJV
7. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Philippians 2:4-11
The place of a disciple is to learn from his master and that is why it is important not just to follow anyone as master whose traits do not conform with Christ’s. For the disciple of a thief cannot but steal in the end and that of the murderer, kill. Christ as our Master and model figure, even though He is equal with God, made Himself of no reputation and bore the filthy skin of man, to be a high priest that could be touched with the aroma of the infirmities of man, and to lay down His life in the hands of His creatures just so that He could fulfill His love unto us. His disciples also are expected to show His traits of humility in all that they do. He came to minister to all and not to be ministered to. Whither then lies the semblance between Him and ministers of today who, out of the quest to be ministered to would do anything to be recognized and positioned at the top, including maligning the brethren that form part of the Lord’s sheep?
When Jesus was with His disciples, He took time to wash their feet. No, He did not present Himself as someone on whose hands the disciples must pour water to be certified. When the teeming populace waited on Him for three days without food, He would rather provide for them through the hands of His disciples than send them away empty. His humility made Him the Chief server as it was from His hands the disciples took to distribute to others. When the disciples choose to serve Him by going to town to seek food for Him, when He was by the well of Jacob, He did not wait on them to get food but went on to do and complete the work the father saddled Him with; that, to the chagrin of the disciples themselves. His volunteering to die took Him down to the horrible place where everyone dreads to wish to go, hell, so that He may retrieve the power of dominion over the earth from the enemy. He did all that for our sakes and not necessarily for His personal aggrandizement.
The Lord is pointing us to the one with whom we share name and title. If we must really be said to be Christ-like, then we ought to be like Him in totality. It is interesting to note that hardly is there a minister today who is willing to suffer, in the stead of the sheep, like Christ did for mankind. Imagine a sincere sheep saying she almost lost her hubby in car crash which destroyed her car; and so, had lost much money in hospital expenses and therefore could not make a church requested contribution at the time. But the minister had no consoling word to offer her, or some contribution to her to succor her situation, because she had not to give at the time. That is the way we have now cultured the Church of God. Ministers think more of themselves and not the reason for which they were made ministers. This definitely can never gladden the heart of the Lord for it is a deviation from the example He laid for us to follow.
God is calling us all to attention that we need to return to the basics. We do not need to be ordained as ministers before we start to show the traits of Christ in humility as we are all His disciples from the day we appointed to follow Him. Be of good service to mankind in humility and not in unnecessary pride cloaked in seemingly humble speech or stride. Jesus was bold to call out hypocrites and speak tersely to them. It did not take away His humble disposition towards mankind in general and His followers in particular. We need to be truthful to ourselves about the matters of the Kingdom. Living in pretense is deception to oneself as no one can mock God. It is safer to do that which pleases God and be seen of Him as doing it, than to do evil and pretend before men for their applause to be doing good in humility. God sees all things and will recompense them all.
SOLUTION: If Christ be humble and be seen as being so, whom do we resemble with pride in our works and walk? Emulate Christ completely so that people may see Christ in you and God may approve you of His own. Please note that He looks on some as workers of iniquity. Do not be part of them.
Please pray:
· Give thanks to God for reaching out to you to be His disciple
· Ask God to please forgive you of your pride in time past which simply is arrogance towards God
· Ask God to fill you with His Spirit of humility unto overflowing from today
· Ask Him to help you to serve Him through His sheep around and about you so that you may not be dubbed worker of iniquity in the end
· Ask for your daily bread today.
If you are blessed by this post, kindly share with your contacts, as well as others, that they may be blessed also. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly as you do so, in Jesus’ name
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