Key Passage: Philippians 2: 5-8

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

The greatest challenge we have as Christians is to follow the footsteps of our Master Jesus. It is to live that life that is absolutely surrendered to the will of God and totally dedicated to meeting the needs of others. That is the life that is most fulfilling and most pleasing to the Almighty.

From the time of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, man’s greatest vice has been self-centeredness (Gen. 3:11-13). That is behind every evil and wickedness exhibited by people on the earth. It is unlike the natural man to give up his rights, make sacrifices and live for others.

But Jesus gave up the most for our sake. Though he was essentially one with God from the beginning, possessed all the attributes of God and had the inexpressible glory, honor, power, authority, majesty and dominion, where angels worshipped and adored him; Jesus readily abdicated all these to become a servant in order to redeem mankind. What a condescension? What a sacrifice? In his incarnation, he was not identified with nobility and royalty; he was born in a manger, to a humble family. He suffered various human deprivations, but he never complained. He was opposed and offended by men, but he never retaliated. He was tempted by the Devil on all areas but he never sinned. He was most loving, kind, patient and meek. He went around doing good, touching lives, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, strengthening the weak and setting the captives free. He stooped down to touch the lowest and the most deprived. His food was to do the will of God the Father and to finish His work. He obeyed the Father even unto death, dying the most disgraceful death – to be hung upon the tree. But God did not abandon him in death. He raised him up and gave him the name above all names. What a model Jesus was for anyone that must live godly? What an example that leaders of today need to emulate?

To live like Jesus lived we must have the same attitude to life as he did. We must be absolutely submissive to God and dedicate ourselves to the needs of others. We must be dead to ourselves and our fleshly desires. And we must bear the fruit of humility and be ready to obey God to the end.

Pray: Lord, give me the mind of Christ; help me to live in absolute submission to You and in humble service to others.

Written by – Evangelist Oguazi Onyemobi