Can you remember the most ridiculous argument you have ever been in? Or maybe who it was with? If you’re married I have an idea of who it was with and maybe even what it was about. Odds are it was the classic “Toilet seat down or up” argument. For my family it was slightly different. Someone in my family loves to leave cabinet doors open. Their argument was that they were still getting things out of it. Now I could possibly understand that, If I wasn’t trying to give myself knee surgery on a cabinet at 2 O’clock in the morning while getting a drink of water.
Now obviously I’m right in this argument, but at the end of the day that relationship is not going to change (mostly) based on that argument. If I allowed that argument to genuinely impact that relationship most people would say that is foolish. Mainly, because it would be foolish. But humans are professionals at valuing themselves over everyone else so much to impact important relationships even if the argument is ridiculous. One look around culture will tell you all you need to know about how much everyone values themselves. As the body of Christ, we are supposed to reflect the unity of Christ, to reflect his humility. Paul writes to the church in Philippi about unity and humility:
Philippians 2:1-11
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
It’s powerful to remember that Jesus had every reason to demand respect, to demand to be treated like royalty. Instead he lowered himself. What would culture’s perspective of the Church be if we were thought of as people who regularly humbled ourselves and didn’t demand our own way? What kind of witness would we be if we cared more about reflecting Jesus’s humility than getting our own way?
SOAP Scripture: Hebrews 12:14
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
