Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. (Philippians 2:1-5, NLT)
Work together with the mind of Christ.
Paul continues in this passage to describe how the mind and attitude of Christ demonstrated all the things he just required of the Philippians. His life was defined by humility, deference, surrender, and obedience.
Today the Christian church celebrates Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem. It was not what they expected or wanted. They were looking for the one who would free them from the oppressive Roman rule: conquering and victorious. Instead he rode in on the peacemaker’s colt. They wanted an overcomer and they got a humble teacher.
How different would life look if we gave up trying to impress each other, and gave up seeking our interests–put the interests of others first?
I hear it’s the best attitude for cross-bearing.
PRAYER: Humility, obedience, surrender. These are words that don’t come easy to mind, and even less to action. Help us take a step today, Lord, in the direction of having your attitude toward others, and ourselves. Amen.
Pot of Manna 