# 38 2018 Dev. Php.2:5 Imitating Christ! Read verses 1-11. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw Gremar and I closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Philippians 2:5 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:”
Paul begins this chapter of Philippians with “therefore”, pointing back to verse 29 of Ch.1: “for it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, Ch.2: Therefore, if you have any encouragement, any comfort, from his love, sharing in the Sprit, if any tenderness and compassion, be like minded.” That means to have the same love, be one in spirit and of one mind.
Paul is leading up to his main theme: Imitating Christ in our relationships. Verses 3 and 4 set the direction for our relationships with others in Christ Jesus: “3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Selfish ambition and vain conceit is obviously not Christ like, but valuing others above ourselves, really? Yes! Not only that, Christ demands action: “Look not only to your own interests but also to the interest of others!” For followers of Jesus it is a difficult command, but for those not in Christ this is a ridiculous idea, self destructive.
Paul continues in verses 5-8 giving the example of Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation, the ultimate example of love, giving one’s life for a friend, in Christ’s case for the whole world.
Paul ends this section with: “Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place.”
Jesus taught that principal: “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,” and whoever wants to be first must be your slave…” (Mt. 20:21-28).
This section of Philippians reminds me of a popular book, perhaps the most read book besides the Bible: The Imitation Of Christ by Thomas a Kempis 1380- 1471.
The book begins with: “He who follows me doesn’t walk in darkness” These words tell us to imitate Christ in life and behavior. This is how we find light and avoid darkness. Now we have our assignment: Meditate on Jesus (p.11). Amen!
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