Daily Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com
Reflection Questions:
Verses 6-11 probably quotes a hymn the early Christians used in their worship. The challenge comes in the early part of the passage. Paul didn’t just call us to admire Jesus’ humble spirit. He invited us to change our ways of thinking, to have the “same mind” in us. We can find a new way of “being” as we follow Jesus’ humble, self-emptying pattern.
- Verses 3-4 depict the Christian alternative to “vain conceit” as “in humility valuing others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Would living that way make you feel safe or unsafe? What trust-building steps could help you move toward that ideal in your relationships?
- The gospels show a strong, often forceful Jesus—not the cliché view of “gentle Jesus, meek and mild.” Yet, Paul says Jesus did not view equality with God as something to use for his own advantage. For whose end(s) did Jesus use his equality with God? How did he empty himself, laying aside his divine rights?
Read Pastor Russell Brown’s insights on today’s scripture at gpsinsights.wordpress.com
Weekly Prayer:
Dear Jesus, you were compassionate with people who saw themselves too often as “being” wrong and bad, as missing the mark. You were honest with people who proudly saw themselves as “being” right and good, always hitting that mark. Be an accurate mirror to me, Lord, reflecting who I am and where I need your grace and instruction in my life. Amen.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.
