“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross.”
That is an overwhelming passage…
Christ, being fully God, humbled Himself and came to earth as a servant. Offering redemption to those who were not only beneath Him… they were His own creation. Yet, they rejected and crucified Him …as He prayed for their forgiveness.
This passage says that is the attitude I am supposed to have … This is not poetry or a parable… it is an historically recorded example we are required to follow that at times feels unattainable.
I can be a servant, when I am recognized for it… I might even enjoy it as long as others are appreciative. But it would be difficult to serve those who disrespect me… For the Son of God to become a lowly human …and then have other lowly humans mock and crucify Him? ...while He loved them? That seems outrageous …Yet according to this passage, that is where the bar has been set.
So, today if I am gracious and those I serve are not grateful… or I’m unselfish, and no one applauds… how will I respond? … How will I react when others ignore my kindness? The answer to those questions will be embarrassing if I go through the day with the “mind of Boyd”. But if I willingly choose to have the “mind of Christ”, the results can be astounding.
If I decrease, and Christ increases, my life will become radiant, lighting up any room I enter. If I have the mind of Christ I will serve people – not out of obligation or religious devotion – but because like Christ, I love them. Love never stands still, it demands action. Sometimes to lift someone up you must get beneath them… Are you willing to lower yourself so you can effectively elevate others?
There is no way around it… this passage insists that we decide who we love most.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
- Anne Frank
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