1-26-21 THOUGHTS

The passages below have 2 sections.  The first relates to our behavior as we try to love others in spite of ourselves.  The second section gives us the basis for NOT GRASPING THE SELF!

Php 2:1-11  Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2  make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4  do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
5  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6  who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8  Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9  For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10  so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11  and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

We sing the song “Highly Exalted”.  It has good words.  “Such was the suffering He bore for us...”        NO SELFISH GRASPING...  HE EMPTIED HIMSELF!
Verse 2 above gives us a SINGULARITY to strive for!  The goodnesses that come from that singularity were listed in verse 1.  There is concern that the thing that will frustrate verses 1 and 2 is SELFISHNESS & CONCEIT.  HUMILITY OF MIND is given as the solution.  
We are discussing THE PROBLEM OF LIFE AND MANKIND!  
THE PROBLEMS OF AMERICA COULD BE CURED if the above solution could be applied on a wide enough basis.  There is no doubt!  Learn my country, please learn!  I pray!
Rom 13:9b   ...and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."

My Prayer:
We exalt your great name Oh Lord.  May we strive to put your mind in our minds.  May we have the mind of Christ.  We know that love never fails Oh Lord.  Help us to love in the space where you let us live.  Thank you that you are love, and that love is embedded in every part of your creation.  We praise you in the name of Jesus           Amen