May 26


Paul’s Big Demands


In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. ... he ... made himself nothing ... he humbled himself and was fully obedient to God.

Philippians 2:5,7,8 (NCV)


Paul sets a really high bar for us. He tells us to not only act like Jesus, but to think like Him too! So while we may serve others in kindness by our good deeds, we need to do it with the right attitude—humility. Paul stresses the mind and the thought life are just as important as our lifestyle. In reality, our thinking should drive our Christ-like acts. Paul commands us all to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), he tells us, we have the mind of Christ, which is the Word of God (I Cor 2:16). But there's more. This truth goes beyond us. It is a lamp for our feet, a light for our path (Psalm 119:105).

Having this light is a tremendous thing, but walking in it, obeying it, this is the better thing Paul calls us to. But Paul takes us a step further, again, by telling us to obey fully. This is the spectacular thing. Most of us can obey some things, some of the time, but all things, and at all times? But is just this thing, full obedience, that gets noticed by God and occasionally by others. And this is the thing we wrestle with in our day to day walk—doing the right thing consistently, constantly.

Let's face it, being like Christ is costly. But then ... look what He did! So, let’s dream big. Let’s consider what great thing He might do in humble lives bowed before Him ... our humble lives ... our obedient lives!


Lord, help me obey fully. Let Your Word permeate my mind and make a difference in me! Amen.