Philippians 2:1-11
One of my favorite types of online videos involves people rescuing lost or abandoned dogs. The story typically plays out in one of two ways. First, someone sees an abandoned dog in a certain location for a number of days and then returns with group of friends and a bag of hamburgers as a mouth watering incentive for the dog. The video ends with the dog being loaded into a car and heading off for a new life. The second, involves an abandoned dog in a shelter that has literally shut down emotionally and cowers in a far corner. Someone decides to make the effort, stepping into the cage and befriends the scared dog. Both scenarios end with the dog going to a new home with a new owner and with a happy look on their face. This all took place because someone was willing to step into the world of a dog that was lost and without hope. The same is true for the human race. We are stuck, and without hope of ever finding spiritual freedom and a new life of victory over sin. Philippians 2 tells us that hopeless situation changed when Jesus, as God, humbled Himself and served humanity by giving Himself to pay for our sin (8). He did this by stepping into our world, and became human like us (7). He stepped away from His position as God (6) to meet our greatest need. In love, Jesus graciously served helpless humanity by not only revealing Himself to us but also rescuing us. Just as the animal lovers seek to restore the lost dog and give it a new life, we need to remember that apart from God we are helpless and hopelessly lost in sin. However, when we experience God’s gracious gift of salvation given through Jesus we can then step into the world of others who are lost, and joyfully point them to Jesus and the new life He gives.
For More See PHILIPPIANS or SHEBA
One of my favorite types of online videos involves people rescuing lost or abandoned dogs. The story typically plays out in one of two ways. First, someone sees an abandoned dog in a certain location for a number of days and then returns with group of friends and a bag of hamburgers as a mouth watering incentive for the dog. The video ends with the dog being loaded into a car and heading off for a new life. The second, involves an abandoned dog in a shelter that has literally shut down emotionally and cowers in a far corner. Someone decides to make the effort, stepping into the cage and befriends the scared dog. Both scenarios end with the dog going to a new home with a new owner and with a happy look on their face. This all took place because someone was willing to step into the world of a dog that was lost and without hope. The same is true for the human race. We are stuck, and without hope of ever finding spiritual freedom and a new life of victory over sin. Philippians 2 tells us that hopeless situation changed when Jesus, as God, humbled Himself and served humanity by giving Himself to pay for our sin (8). He did this by stepping into our world, and became human like us (7). He stepped away from His position as God (6) to meet our greatest need. In love, Jesus graciously served helpless humanity by not only revealing Himself to us but also rescuing us. Just as the animal lovers seek to restore the lost dog and give it a new life, we need to remember that apart from God we are helpless and hopelessly lost in sin. However, when we experience God’s gracious gift of salvation given through Jesus we can then step into the world of others who are lost, and joyfully point them to Jesus and the new life He gives.
For More See PHILIPPIANS or SHEBA
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