A Shining Example – 21 October 2009

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.  He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what.  Not at all.  When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!  Having become human, he stayed human.  It was an incredibly humbling process.  He didn't claim special privileges.  Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death--and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honoured him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth - even those long ago dead and buried - will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honour of God the Father.

What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning.  When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience.  Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up.  Better yet, redouble your efforts.  Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God.  That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

Philippians 2:5-13 [The Message]

‘You’re all right’, Paul says to us, ‘You’re doing well.  Keep at it – I can see where you came from, I saw your progress while I was with you – Keep it up.’

Sometimes our Christian life is dismal in our eyes.  We fail; get miserable, depressed, want to give up.  Everything seems to conspire against us.  Then someone tells us it isn’t all bad – things did change in your life and looking back you can see them – and even more clearly when a friend reminds you, and when you remind them too!  Keep at it.  Think what Jesus did, what he gave up to come to this earth – because in the words of the ad.  “You’re worth it” – and much more true when spoken by Jesus to our hearts.  His shining example becomes our spur, our encouragement.

So read verse 12 again: redouble your efforts today – and be encouraged by the small things that happen and gradually the big miseries will lift.

To do: Look out for one small encouragement today – and watch its effect on you!