Feb. 14/25 -- Philippians 2:3 -- Called and equipped to serve

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit,
but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 ESV
 
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, this simple, direct statement requires hard work on our part and intentionality so it will be continually carried out in our lives. Selfish ambition is an expression that means electioneering. You immediately get a clear sense of what electioneering is, right? It describes someone running for office who tramples on his opponents and is also prepared to trample on the truth in order to gain his desired office. Selfish ambition is translated as rivalry in Philippians 1:15, where it is used as a word to describe how those opposed to Paul are preaching the gospel. Selfish ambition is vanity. How does the one who is intimately connected to Jesus act?
 
In humility. It is something so foreign to Paul’s readers (and us), that he is going to spend a significant number of verses demonstrating what humility is as He describes the actions of Jesus. Isaiah 66:2 teaches us that God, the Holy One, chooses to look upon the one who is humble. For that godly one has clothed himself in the grace God Himself has provided through Jesus.
 
It is counting others more significant than yourselves. What about me? What about my needs and desires? Those questions arise from the rebellious heart that huffs and sighs as these words are read. Go back to verses 1 and 2 of this passage. You can act this in humility and count others as more significant than yourselves when you are encouraged in Christ. You have the resources to count others more significant than yourself when you know yourself to be loved in Christ Jesus. Read the word, you are drenched in never-ending, upwelling fountains of the love of Jesus flowing within you unto eternal life. Those who participate in the Spirit know that they have everything necessary for life and godliness through the gift of divine grace. The Spirit anchors their heart on Jesus and lifts their eyes so they’re fixed on Him as in dedicated service they pour out their lives in service to others. Those who have the affections of the Father and experience His mercy poured out on them by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ are so fully equipped with grace and blessedness in their union with Jesus they know it has "granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake” (Philippians 1:29).
 
Great Father of mercy and love I confess how my link to You is like intermittent Wi-Fi, when fully connected, I am prepared to serve. When the connection is weak, I freeze. When disconnected from You by my prayerlessness and indifference to Your word, nothing seems to work. By Your Spirit reestablish my high-speed connection to Jesus and His continuous flow of encouragement. Let the height and depths of Your love poured out on me in Christ so replenish me that I can, in humility and self-sacrifice, serve others. Thank You for Your Spirit through Whom I abide in Jesus Christ and therefore am productive, bearing good fruit. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/ffnOZN6wXLo?si=l7wXDJdjQSX_1HUg “Here is Love”
 

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