Attitude is so Important

In Philippians 2:5-11 Paul writes about the attitude we should have as followers of Christ.

Verses 5 and 6: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

This verse is incredible. Precisely because Jesus is God is the very reason why he "did not consider equality with God something to be grasped." That is the epitome of humility and that is our God! And we are to have the same attitude as Christ.

Verses 7 and 8: but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

These verses remind me of Matthew 20:28: "just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” It is interesting to note that his humility led him directly to obedience, even if that obedience meant losing his life. Jesus died in our place so that we could have everlasting life! Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in me, even though he dies, yet shall he live." John 11:25.

Verses 9-11: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Because of Christ's humility and obedience, he was exalted by the God the Father. Paul mentions three places where EVERY knee will bow and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. One is in heaven, one is on earth and the other is UNDER the earth. That seems to imply that even those who end up in hell (under the earth) because they rejected God's offer of forgiveness will bow and verbally confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. What they failed to realize and confess while God gave them time on this earth will now be such an utter reality that they will have no other choice than to bow before him and acknowledge that he is and always has been Lord of all. At that point, however, it will be too late for them to be forgiven and their eternal destiny will already be set.

So, be encouraged and change your attitude to that of Christ. The Bible says that the "wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ." 2000 years ago, Christ paid the payment for sin on the cross so that we wouldn't have to. That's good news! If you are reading this and haven't trusted Christ as Savior and Lord, God has graciously given you the time today to humble yourself, repent (turn away from) of your sins and turn to him as Lord and Savior, asking him to forgive you for your sins and to place your trust in Him alone to save you. God will grant eternal life to all who trust in Jesus. Then read the Bible every day and obey what you read.