5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! – Philippians 2
Jesus gave up everything for us. We saw yesterday that we were dead in our transgressions before Jesus sacrifice. Today, we see that Jesus’ sacrifice extended beyond His death on the cross. Jesus was in heaven. Can you imagine leaving heaven? Furthermore, can you imagine someone leaving heaven for you? I struggle to comprehend this love. I am sinful. You are sinful. We all are sinful. None of this kept Jesus from sacrificing his place in heaven so that we may join him one day.
Verse 5 challenges us to have this same selfless mentality towards our relationships. This is something we are particularly bad at. Are you willing to “become nothing (verse 7)” for your friend? What about for your children or your husband? Are you willing to become a servant for those who are far from God?
Remember, our excuse cannot be “they wronged me.” We wronged God for thousands of years. Most of us wrong Him daily. Our only hope is to be like Jesus. Let us be like Jesus and become nothing so others may feel the love that nothing can replace: the love of God.
Amen