DEVOTION, December 5, 2020, Being “other” centered

Philippians 2:3-5 (NKJV)
³  Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.⁵  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…

This word from God causes us to ask, “Who am I living for?” Am I motivated by selfish ambition or conceit? Am I living a self-centered life? God is telling us very clearly that we need to regard others with high esteem. We are to look out for the interests and needs of others. Yes, we also have to look out for our own interests but not exclusively.  In short, we are to have the mind of Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the supreme example of humility. Philippians 2 is one of the most remarkable passages ever written about Jesus Christ. We learn that Jesus Christ is God, yet He humbled Himself and became Man. Jesus Christ was God incarnate.  He humbled Himself and came to this corrupt world that knows little else other than selfishness, greed, and death. Just imagine the enormous step down that Jesus Christ had to take to become a man. It is utterly impossible to grasp the humility it took. Yet, this is what He did, and it is what we are to do. The very same mind that existed in Jesus Christ—that led Christ to give up everything He was and had—that very mind is to be in us. I wonder how the world would change if every Christian put these words into practice?

Almighty God, our Father, help me to be sensitive to the needs of others. Deliver me from being self-centered. Jesus was willing to humble Himself for my sake. May I do the same for others. In His name, Amen.

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