Rachel Workman: 2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort
from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender
and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with
each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. I for one am very guilty of getting too caught up in myself and not thinking of others enough.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,[a]
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b];
he took the humble position of a slave[c]
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,[d]
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. I for one am very guilty of getting too caught up in myself and not thinking of others enough.
5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,[a]
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges[b];
he took the humble position of a slave[c]
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,[d]
8 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Interesting reading. Because Jesus humbled
himself and because he was obedient to God he was elevated to the place of
highest honor. I think the same would apply to us. How can we share as co-heir
to the throne if we don't first humble ourselves and submit to God's authority?
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Krista Cook: Chapter 2 can be titled "The Joy in Service" - appeal to
have the mind of Christ.
Having the mind of Christ means being one in mind, love, and accord and putting others above yourself.
Having the mind of Christ means being one in mind, love, and accord and putting others above yourself.
Christ is our ultimate example of humility. Humility that
was exalted.
We have a lot to live up to in order to have the mind of Christ!
Are you up for the challenge?
____________________________________________________________________________________
Allen
Michaels: 2 Therefore if you
have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his
love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then
make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in
spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or
vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, Considering others’ interests as more important than
our own links us with Christ, who was the true example of humility. 4 not looking to your own interests
but each of you to the interests of the others. Many people – even
Christians – live only to make a good impression on others or to please
themselves. But “selfish ambition or vain conceit” brings discord. Paul
therefore stressed spiritual unity. When we work together, caring for the
problems of others as if they were our problems, we demonstrate Christ’s
example of putting others first, and we experience unity.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the
same mindset as Christ Jesus: Jesus Christ was humble,
willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. Like
Christ, we should have a servant’s attitude, serving out of love for God and
for others, not out of fear or guilt. Remember, you can choose your attitude.
You can approach life expecting to be served, or you can look for opportunities
to serve others.
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! Crucifixion was excruciatingly painful and humiliating. It could take days to die. Jesus died as one who was cursed. How amazing that the perfect man should die this most shameful death so that we would not have to face eternal punishment.
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! Crucifixion was excruciatingly painful and humiliating. It could take days to die. Jesus died as one who was cursed. How amazing that the perfect man should die this most shameful death so that we would not have to face eternal punishment.
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Several key characteristics of Jesus
the Christ are praised in this passage: (1) Christ has always existed with God;
(2) Christ is equal to God because he is God; (3) though Christ is God, he
became man in order to fulfill God’s plan of salvation for all people; (4)
Christ did not just have the appearance of being a man – he actually became
human to identify with our sins; (5) Christ voluntarily laid aside his divine
rights and privileges out of love for his father; (6) Christ died on the cross
for our sins so we wouldn’t have to face eternal death; (7) God glorified
Christ because of his obedience; (8) God raised Christ to his original position
at the Father’s right hand, where he will reign forever as our Lord and Judge.
How can we do anything less than praise Christ as our Lord and dedicate
ourselves to his service.
At the last judgment even those who
are condemned WILL recognize Jesus’ authority and right to rule. We can choose
to regard Jesus as Lord now as a step of willing and loving commitment, or be
forced to acknowledge him as Lord when he returns. Christ could come at any
moment. Are we prepared to meet him.
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