Of Sacrifice, Humility, and Obedience

There was an old Greek epigram which said: 'When you go home, tell them of us and say—For your tomorrow we gave our today.'

Concerning the likeness of a father and son, we have heard statements like these: “Like father like son,” or “He’s a chip off the old block.” Without really thinking about it, when we say these things, is to declare that the son is a copy, a reproduction, or a replica of the father.

Thus, they like the same things, they have the same values, and have the same appearance. Referring to 1 Corinthians 11:1, we are informed of the need to imitate Christ. In other words, we need to be a chip off the cornerstone; we need to be a replica of Jesus. Why? It's simple. Jesus is our perfect example! (1 Peter 2:21-22) If we read Philippians 2:5-11, Paul tells us here that we are to have the mind of Christ. He also tells us in this context what it takes to have the mind of Christ.

Look at Philippians 2:6-7. These verses tell us that our Lord sacrificed the blessings of heaven for us. Can you even imagine what that would be like? I mean, here you are (God) and you give up everything to come and live with us? To be one of us?

Jesus gave up all the comforts of heaven to be a servant on the earth. He didn't have to do this, but He did. (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus sacrificed His own life for us He left the perfection of heaven to go to the pain of the cross. Think about this. He went through the agony of the cross: the trial, scourging, and finally the crucifixion. He didn't do this for Himself. He did it for us! (John 10:17-18)

To have the mind of Christ we must also have a mind of sacrifice. (Romans 12:1-2) We must be willing to sacrifice: worldly pleasures; family; friends; and social status. This can be difficult to do, but one must realize that following Christ will cost you some things. You can't get around it.

To have the mind of Christ is to have a mind of humility (Philippians 2:8a). Jesus being God took on the form of man. In comparison, this would be like a man taking on the form of a worm. Of great significance in this verse is the word “humbled." It comes from "etapeinwsen" which means to make low, to bring to the ground." “Humiliation” would be our closest English word.

Jesus was humiliated, dishonored and disgraced in taking on the form of a man. Our Lord suffered this humiliation on a daily basis. Have you ever been humiliated? (James 4:10; Luke 14:11) We must except humiliation (Acts 5:41), but remember (Romans 8:18).

Finally, to have the mind of Christ is to have the mind of obedience (Philippians 2:8b). Jesus had a mind of obedience. Just look at what Jesus said in John 4:34. Obedience is what He hungered and thirsted for. It was His very reason for being (John 6:38). Jesus was always concerned about doing the Father’s will. And, Jesus was not concerned about what He wanted, but the Father (John 17:4).

He was focused on who he was, and what his job entailed. Jesus glorified the Father through His obedience. Jesus did not leave His Father’s work undone (John 19:30). Jesus would not let even death keep Him from obeying His Father. What will it take to keep us from being obedient? We must have a mind of obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9). Even Jesus became perfect in obedience!

In addition, we must be obedient if we want to be saved (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Punishment awaits the disobedient.Could there be a greater reason than this not to have a mind of obedience? It's good to know that there are rewards for obedience. There are rewards in this life, and most importantly in the life to come (1 John 3:22).

In conclusion, notice that the end result was of Jesus having a mind of sacrifice, a mind of humility, and a mind of obedience. The Father exalted Jesus. In the end everyone will know that Jesus is the Christ, and will give Him glory (Philippians 2:9-11). But, the sad thing is, for many it will be too late

Remember, if we will have the mind of Christ, we will be exalted! To have the mind of Christ is to have a mind of:

1. Sacrifice
2. Humility
3. Obedience

Do you have the mind of Christ?

Scripture: Romans 5:8;  Proverbs 21:3; Hosea 6:6; Hebrews 13:16; Hebrews 13:15; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 John 2:2;  Ephesians 2:8-9

Prayer: O God, who resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble: grant us the virtue of true humility, where of Your Only-begotten son showed in Himself a pattern for Your faithful; that we may never by our pride provoke Your anger, but rather by our meekness receive the riches of Your grace. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Shelley