Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

The Japanese for this verse ties what follows firmly to the first four verses of this chapter, which talk about unity and humility among believers. Frankly, as glorious as verses 6-11 are describing what Christ did in coming to earth to be our Savior, it’s hard to relate them to ourselves, because we aren’t “in very nature God,” as it says in verse 6. Paul’s point is that we can’t “out-humble” Jesus, because He started so much higher to begin with. We all have a distinct tendency to be self-centered, and Paul is saying, “Cut it out! Look at Jesus and be like Him.” He is our ultimate example in everything, but too often we fail to look at Him that way because we think we could never be like Him. If it were entirely up to us that would be true enough, but the thing is, it isn’t entirely up to us. God asks for our free choice to be obedient to Him, but once He has that, He supplies the strength and the wisdom and everything else. Perhaps the two most famous verses from Philippians are 1:6 and 2:13, and they both apply to this issue. 1:6 says, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus,” and 2:13 says, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” That’s why we don’t have to be anxious about anything, but rest in God’s peace. (Philippians 4:6-7) Philippians as a whole is one of the most encouraging books in the Bible. It bears frequent re-reading, because there’s plenty in the world to discourage us, and we need to be reminded of what God has prepared for us in Christ, and how we are to lay hold of it.

As a pastor I see practical examples of this all the time. Every believer needs to be reminded of what they already know, and encouraged in how to put it into practice. The devil wants us to think it’s useless to “imitate Christ,” and so give up before we start. I’ve got to stand firm against that lie, demonstrating and assuring others that God makes it possible, if we will genuinely depend on Him. Just last night someone came for counseling who needed exactly that Word. If we genuinely put Christ first, in the practical terms of starting each day intentionally having fellowship with Him, then everything else falls into place. The devil so easily convinces us that we can’t make time to do that, but like everything else he says, that’s a lie. I need to tell people, like the song says, “Begin the day with God; let Him go forth with thee.” If we do that in all honesty and humility, He takes care of all the rest.

Father thank You for this reminder, and for the opportunity and privilege of sharing this truth with others. I pray that every believer in this church, for starters, would indeed begin each day seeking Your face, and having seen it, would go about their daily activities with You clearly in focus. If we will do that, every trial will be resolved and every obstacle overcome, for our blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!