Philippians 2:5,6
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.”
This is the great emptying of God, Jesus more specifically. It started from a place of security and trust. He knew He was God and He trusted the Father and the Spirit to restore Him to the place from which He came. He allowed Himself to be born as a baby to poor parents and to be raised in a bad area. As an adult, He recruited 12 disciples who would carry on His message. To end His ministry, He died for the sins of the world. All of the punishment for all eternity for those who would accept Him would be laid on Him. The Father and the Spirit resurrected Him after three days. After 40 days (I believe), He was brought back to Heaven.
An interesting factor is that God knew this would be necessary before He created us. So, why create him? He so desired a people that would love Him out of choice. That’s a huge price on His end. He did it anyway.
Back to today’s verse. He was God, enjoying all the privileges, yet He chose to empty Himself. He did so to reach out and assist us. We are to have this attitude in us. To love others, there is often a denying of our privileges. We let others go first.
Matthew 16:24 says ‘Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.”‘ The purpose of our lives changes. It’s no longer about self indulgence. It’s not like we say to ourselves, “How can I deny myself today?” We will encounter plenty of situations in which someone is in our way and we are to bless them or we are in someone’s way and we are to be considerate.
Life goes on as usual, but we no longer fight for our way. We seek opportunities to bless others. Sometimes it’s easier than others. I’m presently wrestling with my response to someone. I think he’s selfish and he takes privileges at the expense of others. I feel he should know better, but he still takes extra portions for himself. I see him weekly and I wrestle with my thoughts. I pray about this. I’m to love all. Others in the group seem unaware that he does this. Quite the opposite, they compliment him. I am missing something. This is difficult.
I can’t give up. I need to persist in denying myself. I need to continue to confess and ask for help. God understands and know all about this. He doesn’t want me to live contently with my dislike, but to persist. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.”
This is an unresolved situation. I pray and ask for help and put it aside. Sometimes we are to talk to the person. I don’t think that appropriate here, as I don’t know the groups history. They have killed the fatted calf and I may be the bitter older brother. I have to pray and ask for help. He will. Not so much that my will feelings will go away. He will assist.
This feels like the living out of one of the beatitudes, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for their is the kingdom of God”. I don’t have what it takes to love. I’m admitting my deficiency and asking for help. We are all poor in spirit. It’s the admitting and asking for help is what makes one blessed.
This experience shows the difficulty in denying one’s self. Sometimes it’s easy other times it’s challenging and drawn out. We have to be patient and persistent. God will work it out. He’s good at complicated problems.
Thank You, Lord, for Your ways. Thank You that You seek to empower us to go Your way. You know our struggles. Help us.