Devotion #19

CENTRAL TRUTH: Embracing faith requires a humble heart willing to sacrifice everything for Christ.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Philippians 2:1-11

We are more than halfway through our 30-Day Challenge. I hope spending time alone with Jesus is becoming part of your routine. Hang in there—it takes at least one month to form a new habit.

When I was 12 years old, I memorized Philippians 2:5-11. I remember reciting it at a family reunion. Sounds like fun, does it not? No pressure! Little did I realize the impact these verses would have on my life.

When I was 16, I surrendered my life completely to Jesus. I did not want to be motivated by selfish ambition. How could I? The One who created me and who lived in the splendor of heaven gave it all up for me. If I am a follower of Christ, then I must think and act like Christ.

The words that still weigh heavily on my heart are: “He humbled Himself” (Philippians 2:8 NIV). No one made Jesus do this—He willingly, lovingly, graciously humbled Himself. He humbled Himself and became obedient, obeying the will of His Father. Jesus lived a selfless obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death. Jesus obeyed all the way to the cross.

How could I ever live for myself when my Savior and Lord gave everything for me, including His very life? Please take time to read today’s passage and explore what it means for you to embrace faith through the lens of sacrifice.

If you have not done so yet, please open your Journey Guide to the corresponding devotion in the Reading Journal section. Journal your thoughts in response to the questions found there, spend some time in prayer, and take a couple of minutes to review this week's Memory Verse.

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Today's Author

Bob Westfall

My name is Bob Westfall. My “little red-haired girl” is Leesa, and we have been married for 32 years. We have two wonderful daughters, Heather and Amy, and one super son-in-law, Ryan, who is married to Heather.

Leesa and I moved to Cedar Rapids in June 2003. I began as the Middle Adult Pastor, and then God transitioned me to the Senior Pastor position at New Covenant. You may be surprised to know (or maybe not!) that I was a thespian during high school and college. In fact, I was a member of the Alpha Psi Omega national theater honor society.

Comments

[Lyndee Crow]

I am reminded of the promise that "if we humble ourselves in the sight of the LORD He will heal our land." What a promise for living like Christ.

[Patsy Norem]

This humility and servant-attitude of Jesus Christ has been called the true "Spirit of Christmas." I noticed today especially that my living in unity with other Christ-followers brings HIM joy! Because we,being mortal,will never perfectly understand His word (this side of Heaven) we will have differences in thinking. But if Christ (being GOD) could dwell in love amongst disagreeing disciples, His attitude is able to rule in my heart as well. It's the dying (to self) that is so hard.

[Kim Pagel]

As a father, my greatest joy is to have my family all together, enjoying one another. Sibling rivalry was so difficult for me to deal with. I wanted my boys to get along and to like one another. As they have matured into young men, they have become great friends. There is just nothing better than having "the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."

[Tye Male]

My early mentors in ministry where not servant leaders, but deep down inside I always thought that servant leadership was the right way. For years I struggled with this being in a top-down leadership church.

Now, I have the awesome privilege of working in a church that is built on the servant leadership model. I love the fact that in many respects we look very much like verse 2.

One last thing. Harmony doesn't always mean agreement. Sometimes in order to achieve harmony there as to be a humbling of all parties so that there is in selfish ambition and our preference is set aside in order that "unity in spirit and purpose" can be achieved.

[Richard Kramer]

The world often embraces the slogan “Divide and conquer” to achieve earthly goals. What is the right approach for us as Christians to achieve our spiritual goals? Maybe “Unite and submit”? But that would be a totally opposite way, frankly a bit scary, and seemingly inferior. Yet we are to make Paul’s “joy complete” by being the good guys, the “nice guys” (who, as we all know, end up last—except in God’s Kingdom!)

Why does this approach work anyway? The short answer for me is that Jesus’ life is an example to follow: He has unity with Father; He wants unity with us; He wants unity among His followers. What about submission? He submitted to the will of the Father; He wants us to submit to Him; and He wants us to submit to each other in humility.
Coming back to the nice guy ending up last: Jesus did - on the cross. The world wants to see only the death and not the glorious victory afterward. We can participate in this glorious life without “divide and conquer” as we follow our servant-leader, Jesus.