WELCOME
Ruby Ramsey
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men,8. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)
These few short verses touch me more than any others in the Bible. Jesus was equal to God, but He humbled Himself, made Himself of no reputation (emptied Himself of all His privileges) and became a bondservant (a slave) who went willingly to hang on that shameful cross. Why? For Me!
Jesus came to earth to do God's will. He became flesh and dwelt among men. He was tempted just as we are. (Hebrews 4:15).
Jesus, in the flesh, did not want to be crucified. In the garden He prayed:
"O My Father, it if is possible, let this cup pass from me, but nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39).
He obeyed His Father. He submitted to Him. We, too, are put on this earth to do God's will. Sometimes we have to suffer the ridicule of men as we try to obey God, but Philippians 2:5 tells us, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." Jesus totally submitted to God's will, and by doing so, God was with Him and helped Him endure all His sufferings. When we submit to God's will, He will also help us and give us strength.
I am reminded of Joshua who, after Moses died, became the leader of the Israelites. Three times in the first nine verses God says to him: "Be strong and of good courage." In verse 9 He adds: "...do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1)
Behold this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and all your souls, that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you, and not one word of them has failed. (Joshua 23:14)
This is the kind of God we are asked to submit to and obey! Knowing that God will never fail, Joshua declares,"...But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:42) This sentiment is repeated throughout the Word:
It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in men. (Psalms 118:8)
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)
In 1 Samuel 15 we find the story of Saul being sent to Amalek to utterly destroy everything and everyone. Instead he disobeyed thinking he knew better and brought back the king, the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs and all that was good. I imagine he was expecting to be commended when he came before Samuel. Instead, Samuel told him: "...Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed better than the fat of rams." To obey God is better than anything else we can do. God wants us to obey Him with all our hearts, all our souls, all our minds, and all our strength. Whatever God asks us to do, we should have that same mindset that Christ had in the garden. He totally submitted to God. He was willing to die on that cruel cross, not for His sin, but for ours. Most likely, we will never have to be subjected to crucifixion, but whatever happens to us, we should be willing to suffer and never disobey God!
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slave whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:16-18)
We are slaves of righteousness when we obey God. God is a tenderhearted Master. He wants only good things for those who obey Him. He blesses us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3) Our obedience is what pleases God.
All Scripture is taken from the NKJ Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson,Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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