3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, 8 he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.
THOUGHTS:
I don't think that Paul is suggesting we look down on ourselves. Know that you are a loved child of God, more valuable than you can imagine. Accept that. Own it. Feel it. You are loved.
Then, with knowing that, try to see everyone around you as being at least that precious too, for they are each also loved children of God. And don't just think of them that way, treat them that way. Not just your friends, but also those who might seem incidental to your life, or even as enemies to you! Treat the person who screws up your lunch order as a loved child of God, with the dignity and compassion they deserve because of their status in God's eyes. Love the person who backs into your car, for they are more valuable than any car could be. And when someone tries to tear you apart, show them compassion.
That's what this passage says to me when it talks abut acting humbly and emptying ourselves as Jesus did.
PRAYER:
Lord God, we know that you love us more than we could ever fully comprehend. Help us to humbly accept that love, sharing it with all those we encounter during our journey in life, each day, every day. For the sake of Jesus the Christ, AMEN.
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These devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University. Please feel free to share them with your friends! For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran
You can subscribe to these devotions by RSS or email from http://lentendevotions.blogspot.comThese devotions are provided by Lutheran Campus Ministry at George Mason University. Please feel free to share them with your friends! For more information on our ministry and events, see http://gmu.edu/org/lutheran
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