Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8
I woke up this morning in a comfortable bed, in a comfortable home, with a comfortable temperature. Food was easily accessible and I was able to enjoy a calming hot shower and pick from an abundance of clothes to wear for worship. Love abounds here since everyone that abides in this home loves me, loves each other, and I love them.
Comfortable, accessible, calming, abundance, love… would I ever be freely willing to leave a place such as this for a lesser existence? Not likely.
Would I give up every comfort for distress, accessibility for trouble, calmness for turmoil, abundance for void, love for despisement? No way.
Would I be able to do it if it meant saving those I most love? Definitely!
Would I do it if it also included having to die a humiliating death at the hands of wretched men? ….???….
Jesus had so much more than the comforts of a favorable home. He had heaven. A place where His existence was as God; certainly more favorable than any of us can imagine, but yet an existence He did not cling to when He humbly emptied Himself to become like men. What a lowly existence He chose to live with the distress of those who despised Him and the troublesome fate of a life short-lived by death on a cross. A death of great turmoil which voided all human dignity. It was the demise of a bondservant wrought in humiliation at the hands of wretched men to save those He loves.
A Savior, willing to obediently sacrifice everything and do anything necessary for mankind. This is the attitude of Christ; the attitude that has paved the way for us to have everlasting comfort, accessibility, calmness, abundance, and love. It’s the same attitude we must seek to pay tribute to His forfeiture of life. Let’s remember that as we honor His death by His memorial meal today.
Prayer:
Never can I imagine, my great God, what Your Son had to leave to save my wretched soul. Any sacrifices that I make in this life are incomparable to His yet I seek to uphold His attitude of obedience, humility, and abiding love. Please let Your grace come upon me where I am failing that I may be cleansed to see the face of my Savior to thank Him for the gift of heaven through His sanctification of my soul. I will honor His death today as I share this memorial meal with others that also seek His face. Amen.
Truth in love,
Heather
Truth in Love 
You have penned so many of my thoughts that I had to share them with others. Many of them politely listened as I spoke them over the past years, but haven’t seen too much evidence they truly sunk in. Like Demas, having loved the present world, continued as they were. It is my hope that one day, they will come to appreciate the sacrifice given for their salvation.
truthinlovehfred posted: “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of”
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Beautiful words from the heart Ms. Ruby! Thanks!
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