Attitude

Text: Philippians 2:1-11

Theme: Christ’s attitude of complete humility led to his exaltation and should be our attitude as well.

Key verses: “…Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves” (v. 1b-3). “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names” (v. 5-9).

What God said to me: Dwayne, you are dangerously close to losing my hand of blessing. You are allowing spiritual arrogance to creep in. You think you can just plop down in front of my Word and “get a word from” me. No, you cannot. You must approach your time, any time, with me with pure humility and sincere prayer. You must see yourself as completely unable to provide a meal for yourself at my table. You must examine yourself to see if you be of pure faith, to assure your known sins are confessed and forsaken. I will not put up with arrogance, no matter how subtle and shrouded it may be. I know the deceitfulness of your heart. You should pray like David in Psalm 19: “Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.” My Son, my only Son, humbled himself to a shameful and cruel death on a cross. I couldn’t even watch him die. He took on your sins and the sins of the world. There is nothing you can do on your own to impress me. Your righteousness is as filthy rags before me. The only thing you can and should do is humble yourself as Jesus did. Take on his attitude and make it your own. See yourself for what and who you are: a sinner saved by my grace. Yes, you are my child, and I will chasten you as much and as often as is needed because I love you. But be warned: Humility before me and before your brothers and sisters is required and necessary each and every day.

What I said to God: Thank You, my Lord and Savior, for speaking clearly to my heart today. I admit and confess my sinful thoughts and ways. I realize I approach Your written Word flippantly and self-servingly at times. I am so sorry. Please help me guard my mind and run away from vain things. I would be going to hell if not for Your mercy and grace. My life would be a certain wreck without your intervention and involvement. Every good and perfect gift I’ve received has come down from You, the Father of Lights. I choose to humble myself today and worship You only.