Example!

Example!

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility]

The Context and Focus:

If you are able to define the audience, you are able to set and define expectations. If the use or limits of a thing is not defined, abuse is inevitable. The chapter from where the verse above is taken defines the audience and the expectations. It refers to people who have any encouragement and comfort in Christ, any consolation of love or any fellowship in the Spirit. Of course, this would be referring to people who have identified with the death and resurrection of Jesus. This has nothing to do with just church membership or moral excellence on its own, but a living, breathing relationship with Jesus as Lord and Saviour. There is no middle ground here, where one can get away with not committing to one position or the other. There is no fence to sit on here; because there are only two paths to eternal reality: you are either on the narrow path that leads to eternal life,  or on the broad way that leads to eternal separation from God. As always, the power of choice has been given to me. I get to decide where I end up based on the decisions I make today. 

The Message:

When the identity has been settled, impact is non-negotiable. When I know who I am, who I belong, what I have been gifted and planted on earth to do, I do not have any other person to please other than the One who owns my life and all it represents. The challenge with not knowing my identity is the propensity to seek to please as many people as possible. You end up being twisted in many different directions, because you can never reach a common ground with every one. If the focus is on God and pleasing Him, you find, to your heart's contentment, that man's applause is not really important. You find that there is no room or place for an inflated opinion of oneself. If Jesus lives inside of me, He sets the agenda, pursuits and priorities, and because I love Him, I submit to Him and follow His leading and direction. Can it be said of me that my heart and life are totally sold out to Jesus?

The Conclusion:

Jesus is the perfect example of the life that God demands of me. Here is the Son of God,  the One called the Word of God, the Wisdom and the Power of God, whose glory knows no limits, simply surrendering his life as the perfect sacrifice for sin. He knew no sin, yet because He needed to offer me life, He laid down his life willingly. He could not be compelled, but love placed the burden of forgiveness, redemption and eternity on Him, and he gave it all. He died, so I could live. He gave His all, so I could lay hold of His all. He did not consider his nature, power or ability, but he laid all down, because of the souls and eternity of men. That is such a noble cause, and an example worthy of emulation. As I pursue a life of impact, I learn from the life of Jesus that humility is the pathway to honour. With humility, God is put front and centre of all I do, and I seek to point men to the mighty and amazing things God is able to do in and through me. I have the life, lessons, teachings and testimonies of Jesus to look up to. What is my decision? God's time of favour is here.