Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 62 – Philippians 2:1-4 – Like Minded – Growing As Disciples
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV)
Attitude
I know that’s vitally important. What’s vitally important? The attitude that I have is vitally important. How so? My attitude will determine my perspective in life. Give me some examples. I could have a self-centered attitude. I could live as if the world revolved around me. With this attitude, I might come to expect that others would cater to my whims and meet my every need. I would live to be served. This would be a pathetic attitude to hold. Yes, it would be pathetic. Name another undesirable attitude. I could have a self-sufficient attitude. I could think that I don’t want or need help from anyone. With this attitude, I might live an isolated life that is quite distant from others. I would certainly not ask for or receive any help or wise counsel from anyone. I would likely make huge mistakes and take many gigantic missteps as a result of relying solely on myself. This would be a dangerous attitude to hold. Yes, it would be dangerous. Name another undesirable attitude. I could have a self-righteous attitude. I could think that I could do no wrong. I would never be at fault. I would never be in the wrong. Never would I say I was sorry, nor would I ever ask for forgiveness. This might be the most dangerous negative attitude of all. Why is that? With this attitude, I might never admit my sin to you. I might never ask for your forgiveness. With this attitude, it would be unlikely that I would ever welcome you into my life as my Savior and Lord. That would be a dangerous mistake that would offer tragic consequences both now and forever. Yes, it would.
None of these attitudes are yours. No, they are not. What attitude is yours? I want to humbly love and follow and serve you. I want to become like you. I want to follow your example. I want to think like you thought. I want to speak like you spoke. I want to act like you acted. I want to count others as better than myself. I want to take on the form of a servant. I want my life to be filled with love and tenderness and compassion towards others. I want to love others just as you have loved me. Instead of just looking to my own interests, I want to look out for the interests of others. To sum it all up, I want to live a life that is good and right and true and pleasing to you. That is the attitude that I want you to help me to maintain as I live my life with and for you. That will be very good. I will help you to have this attitude in you. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I welcome you to completely change my life. Give me new thoughts to think, words to speak, and actions to take. I want to live the life you have called me to live. I want to become like you. Help me to love, follow and serve you with all my heart and mind. Amen
Key Question… How does your new life in Christ look different than your old life in the world?
Living It Out… Allow the Lord to change everything about you as you love, follow and serve Him.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that Christ will help you to live a completely new life in Him.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how your values have changed as you have followed Christ.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow the Lord to change everything about you as you love, follow and serve Him.
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