Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES of all nations, TEACHING THEM to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS…” (Matt. 28:18-20) Becoming a Christian is about entering into a right relationship with God. We can’t convince people to enter into that relationship. That is God’s responsibility. Our role is to KEEP POINTING PEOPLE TO GOD, it is God’s role to CALL THEM TO HIMSELF. One very important way we point people to God is by PRAYERFULLY LIVING OUR LIFE in a manner that is pleasing to God. By being a faithful example for them.
“In your relationships with one another, You should THINK IN THE SAME WAY JESUS DOES: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, HE MADE HIMSELF NOTHING by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (Phil. 2:5-7) To define “nothing”, one might say it is the lowest form of anything. Quiet mind-boggling? Yes, but stick with me. To be “nothing” is to be NONEXISTENT, ABSENT, AND OF NO VALUE OR WORTH. For us, being “nothing” has negative connotations, as each one of us craves to be something. Our deepest longings are to be acknowledged, appreciated, and, ultimately, to be known.
The New Living Translation (NLT) says, “You must have the same ATTITUDE that Christ Jesus had.” (Phil. 2:5) We are called to imitate! IMITATE CHRIST’S EXAMPLE, by daily humbling ourselves, serving our neighbor, and giving up our earthly desires for the sake of the gospel. May we place ourselves in lowly positions in order to serve others well. In our service, may ALL THE GLORY be given to the One who gave His all.
TODAY, LET US BECOME “NOTHING”, SO THAT JESUS MAY BE EVERYTHING IN US.
-Bill Stockham