This Weeks Passage: Philippians 2:4-11
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
This Weeks Memory Verse: Philippians 2:4-5
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus
I will be much briefer this week than I usually am.
So after pondering this passage, I’ve decided that I’m egocentric rather than christocentric. I wish it wasn’t true but, alas, I’m afraid that it is. I really do love me some me. I am so much more concerned about my own interests rather than the interests of others. My attitude is in no way, shape, or form the same as that of Christ Jesus. Three words that stand out in this passage that describe Him but would never describe me: servant, humble, obedient.
So here is my action plan for this week. I’m going to focus on one of these words – servant. And I’m going to try to be intentional about being a servant. My goal is to find 5 ways to serve in this coming week that would not automatically happen as a part of my job or husband responsibilities. Feel free to ask me how this is going – and if there is any way that I can serve you then let me know.
There is a lot going on in this passage beneath the surface. For those of you who are really into this passage here’s a research project for you. Rather than me spelling all this out for you I’m going to let you dig a little on your own.
1) What do the terms “kenosis” and/or “hypostatic union” have to do with this passage? Bonus points go to those of you who post answers to this.
2) Also, why are verses 6-11 set apart as they are from the other verses? More bonus points if you can answer this.
For those of you who have been with me from the beginning you will know that I had talked about taking a week off every 4 weeks. I think I shall renege on that. But the passage to ponder next week will be short and sweet. In fact, it will be only one verse long. But even though we will spend the bulk of our pondering on this one power-packed verse, don’t forget to read it in its context.
Next weeks verse to ponder AND memorize: Galatians 2:20
because my love not only for myself…yes I was certainly convicted of that too….but of bonus points also…..I’m going to post my ponderings tomorrow! I have a little more research to do! Thanks for reneging (can’t spell) I like to ponder.
I smell HOMEWORK in this one. Will post my thoughts later.
It speaks to the oneness of Jesus Christ. “The hypostatic union teaches that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, that there is no mixture or dilution of either nature, and that He is one united Person, forever.” <http://www.gotquestions.org/hypostatic-union.html
We should all strive to live in His likeness. We can not be one way in a particular setting and another way in another setting. In other words, we must not have split personalities for lack of a better way to define it. We must learn selflessness and always care about the needs of others.
There, I have said it, and I'm sticking to it. 🙂