Philippians 2:5-7
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
I just read an article today in which an editor confessed a glaring error he made as a young reporter. He was writing about a meal an Amish family had enjoyed—he typed, “fried children” instead of “fried chicken.” He thinks many people stopped reading his column after that glaring mistake.
I am not so sure that today’s title is all that wrong. “Attitude” and “altitude” have something in common. Our attitude can be either up or down. In fact some people even make the comment that they are having a “down” day. That should not be true of victorious Christians.
So how can we maintain an “attitude” that has “altitude”? I am so glad you asked. We have the answer right here in Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. He says that we should have the same attitude as Christ Jesus.
Wow! That is an amazing bit of instruction—at least it is until we read the rest of the passage. Jesus made Himself nothing, even lowering Himself to the position of a servant. Not many of us are willing to be submissive to others. In fact we most often want to have the highest position.
Pride is an enemy that is always crouching at the door of our life, just waiting to be let loose. We may try to act humble, but given the opportunity, we love to hear words of praise about some little thing we have done.
It is well for us to pattern our life after Christ Jesus. He was always giving of Himself to others. Listen to the last verse of a poem whose author is unknown: “Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, ‘Thy will be done’; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ‘twas worth it all’; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
- – - Pastor Cecil