Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation , and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Really, Lord?
He says, "YES, Really!"
Sometimes I have a problem with esteeming others above my own self. I don't mean that I think that I am better. I don't know that I ever really feel that I am better. I tend to think I am below most everyone else. Just selfish, that's all. As if that's not bad enough. I mean, I place my desires and what I want to do often times, above the needs that I know that are out there in others.
As I studied today in Matthew, I ended up doing word studies on a set of Scriptures that I took note of that are repeated quite often. That of "the first shall be last, and the last shall be first."
Have you ever really studied His Word enough to realize that there are some Scriptures that are very often repeated throughout the Bible? Obviously, it is all purposeful. Maybe to drive home certain points that God knew were very important that we get. Some of us, need the reminders-worse than others (mainly, me). :-(
Matthew 19:30 (KJV) states:
But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.
Other Scriptures repeat the very same verbiage:
Matt. 20:16
Mark 10:31
Mark 9:35
Luke 13:30
Luke 13:30 says
And behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.
I noticed that directly across from that Scripture in Luke, on the same page-it said in Chapter 14, verse 11:
For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased (humbled); and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Same idea, right? Whew.
I think this means that if I push my way to the head of the line in life, then I can expect to be at the tail-end of the line entering into Heaven...and so forth and so on for anything else that may be happening up there. It is all about putting everyone else AHEAD of myself. Just like JESUS did.
Again, I just keep going back to humbleness and the importance thereof. Obviously, God has much to teach me in this area.
Matthew also says in chapter 20, vs. 27 & 28:
And whosoever be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and to give his life a ransom for many.
Jesus Christ was the epitome of humbleness. He was making sure he was placing others above Himself.
2 Cor. 5:21 tells us:
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
That's some sacrifice. He let Himself BECOME sin, when He didn't even know sin in any way, shape, or form...all for our redemption and salvation. What love. Mercy. Grace. I can't begin to comprehend it!
Job 37:5 KJV
God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend .
The Greek form of the word "first" in the Strong's Concordance, means: foremost, (in time, place, order or importance), the best, or chief.
The Greek form of the word "last," means: farthest, final (of place or time), latter end, lowest.
Ooh...I do not want to be the "lowest." I am satisfied with somewhere in between (don't have to be first)...but last?
Ouch.
I have a choice here. We all do. Do we all realize that? I wonder sometimes.
I think I tend to "forget" that I have a choice each and every day.
God, draw me to Yourself. Help me to learn more of You. Help me to be content with where you have placed me...each and every day. It is by YOUR hand of blessing that I am where I am in life at this point. Help me oh God, to place others ahead of myself- help me to make it a HABIT that You develop in me...sooner, rather than later. I thank You Lord, for all that You've done, and all that You're GOING TO DO- for You are worthy to be praised, and the Keeper of Promises.
:-)
I love you, Lord
And I lift my voice
To worship You
Oh my soul, rejoice!
Take joy my King
in what You hear
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound
In Your ear.
(lyrics by Laurie Klein)
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