Anglican Devotional 15 May 2024: Attitude Of Christ

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 15 May 2024 – Attitude Of Christ

TOPIC: Attitude Of Christ

READ: Philippians 2: 5-16(NKJV)

  1. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
  2. who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
  3. but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men.
  4. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross.
  5. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
  6. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
  7. and [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
  8. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
  9. for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for [His] good pleasure.
  10. Do all things without complaining and disputing,
  11. that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
  12. holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

THE MESSAGE:

Attitude refers to a person’s state of mind about situations and circumstances and his/her reactions to such circumstances. It is the view an individual holds about an issue or event which determines his or her response per time. It also involves one’s opinions about people, places and events, and inform actions within given times; it can be positive or negative.

Apostle Paul charged the Philippian brethren, and indeed all Christians, to have the same mind as Christ who being in the nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, made himself nothing, and humbled himself to death, even death of the cross (vv.5&6). The way of the cross is the way of life. If one desires to go up, one must be ready to humble himself first and wait for God’s lifting. The way of God is not in self-lifting but God’s elevation. Death on the cross remains one of the crudest and most cruel ways to die. Christ had the option of refusing to die but for the purpose of achieving God’s plan of salvation for human kind, He submitted Himself to the death on the cross. Not only this, it is on record that He refused to rub shoulder with God or count himself equal with God though being in the very nature of God. The attitude of Christ will not get involved in unhealthy rivalry or ego display. Jesus put on the garment of a servant who avoided unnecessary attention to either himself or his accomplishment. This attitude brings God’s blessings and approval.

PRAYER: Merciful Father, forgive me for every attitude of rival, pride, and disobedience, Amen.

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