Emptying Ourselves

 "But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, ..." Phil 2:7 

Jesus who is God was willing to put aside His rightful place and position and by choice empty Himself (literally made Himself void) so He could purchase salvation for a dying humanity. This is the underpinning truth behind the great Gospel news. In His submission to the Father's will, the Lord did not concern Himself with what others thought or perceived of Him, nor with the humbling status he submitted to, in firstly coming in the flesh and then becoming a servant. Christ's example to us in this detail is of the utmost importance. 

Many are driven by image and what people think of them. To them even the casual observer, is all important, their perceived reputation therefore is to be maintained at all costs. It is true that as believers we have a witness and as such a Christian 'reputation' to uphold, however this should never get in the way of our obedience to God, His Word and His will for our lives. What people may think of us is relative, but what God thinks of us is of paramount importance!

If we are to have the mind of Christ in us, as verse 5 of this chapter exhorts, the example is set, the foundation of thinking at this level has been laid and the pattern of overcoming has been provided! When it comes to a choice between obeying God's direction versus maintaining a reputation which may please or impress those around us, we should follow the example Jesus gave us! We ought to be willing to empty ourselves as He did, and even at the cost of being perceived as base, vile or to be despised we should put God and His will ahead of our reputation. 

In a society and culture which highly exalts personal achievement, status, image and social relevance, becoming void, meaningless or unimportant in people's eyes, may be one of the hardest tasks we may ever face as believers, but if we want to be true followers of the Master we must be willing to go this far and further just as He did, if and when it is required of us. Yes, perhaps this is 'easier said than done', yet it is in the righteousness of 'doing' God's Word, that we are considered wise builders, erecting the edifice of our lives on solid rock; and for the 'doing' of it, we are assured of support and backing of the Lord's own strength and wisdom. 

How could we ever stand before the Lord and excuse our lack of obedience to Him on the basis that we didn't want people to think poorly of us!? If Jesus could shed His reputation as God in the the eyes of those around him on our behalf, can we rightly safeguard ours and protect it at any cost? The least we can do is be willing to yield our measly and by comparison worthless reputation to stand for the convictions, teaching and directions He has given us! Such choices in serving God may seem costly at times, but demonstrate the depth of our love for Him and the degree of our passion for His will and way in our lives. 

Some have paid this price for much lesser, man-made causes, which offer no lasting eternal reward or opportunity to bring God glory. Should we not willingly empty ourselves and become void in other people's eyes for Jesus, the greatest, most noble and most valuable cause? Besides, we may find that in emptying ourselves of "our self", we might make room for Jesus and space for His image and life in us! Food for thought.


http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion

No Mere Coincidence!

  
"And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech." Ruth 2:3

Often, what we may view as happenstance, fluke, luck and mere coincidence, can in fact be the providing and directing hand of God. When we trust in the Lord and lean on Him prayerfully, desiring His ways and will in our lives, and in a Ruth-like determination cling in love and faith to our Saviour, we can pretty well dismiss the idea of ‘coincidence’.

Life doesn’t ‘just happen’ for the believer. It is guided and steered, filled with purpose and answers. God takes a hand in every part of our lives, directing and leading, even when we may not be fully aware of it. He helps and encourages, opens doors, and gives strength to overcome. His providence covers the needs and His wisdom provides the answers that truly fulfil the genuine seeker.

Ruth couldn’t have known that out of all the possible fields she could have chosen to glean in, “her hap” - clearly God’s unseen guiding hand, would land her in the field of her dead father in law’s relation, named Boaz, in whose eyes she would find favour and who would eventually be willing to perform the duty of the levirate, marry her and raise children who in turn would become forefathers in the blood line of the Lord Jesus Christ! She couldn’t have known, but God knew. She couldn’t have planned and directed the events, but the Lord is able to pilot happenings, determine timing and manage individuals to bring forth the outcome which was in His master plan and design to begin with! He knows the end from the beginning and so nothing in what God does and allows in the trusting believer’s life is mere coincidence.

What relief, joy and comfort the believer who walks with God, finds in the knowledge that life is not a chance ‘roll of the dice’, or a series of meaningless, unguided coincidences, but rather the unfolding of God’s loving, purpose and plan. The closer and more intimately we walk with the Lord, the more sensitive we become to this truth and the more thankfully we praise and glorify the One who is able to keep, guide and provide for His children.

What precious lessons we can learn from the text before us, as we consider that for the believer nothing, not even casual events, should be taken as unimportant or inconsequential - for in such seemingly insignificant actions and happenings could hide the seeds of God’s great unfolding plan for our lives. It is wise for us therefore to look out for and carefully follow the leading of the Lord’s providence, sensing after His Spirit for direction and steering. Most of all we should be mindful to give Him glory for all He so graciously performs in our lives, remembering that as we acknowledge Him in all our ways He will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6). 


http://www.pentecostalfamilychurch.com.au/devotion