Submission for Service

Read Philippians 2:5–9. What important message is there for us in

these verses?

Contemporary culture urges us all to demand and assert our rights.

And all this is good and often is the way it should be. But as with Jesus,

the will of God may be for us to give up our rights freely in order to

serve the Father in ways that will make an eternal impact for God’s

kingdom. This process of giving them up may be difficult and uncom-

fortable, creating the conditions of a crucible.

Look at how Jesus did this (Phil. 2:5–8). These verses describe three

steps that Jesus took in submitting Himself to the Father’s will. And at

the beginning, Paul alarmingly reminds us: “Have the same mindset as

Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5, NIV).

In order to be in a position to save us, Jesus gave up His equality with

the Father and moved to earth in the form and limitations of a human

being (Phil. 2:6, 7, NIV).

Jesus did not come as a great and glorious human being, but as a

servant of other human beings (Phil. 2:7, NIV).

As a human servant, Jesus did not live a peaceful and long life but

became “obedient to death.” He did not even die in a noble and glori-

ous manner. No, He was “obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

(Phil. 2:8, NIV).

In what areas of life is this example of Jesus a model for us? If rights

and equality are good and should be protected, how would you

explain the logic of sometimes needing to give them up? Now read

Philippians 2:9. In what way does this verse help us to understand

the logic of submission to the Father’s will?

Pray for wisdom from the Holy Spirit, asking, “What rights am I

holding on to right now that actually might be a barrier to sub-

mitting to Jesus’ will in serving my family, my church, and those

around me? To what extent am I willing to endure discomfort to

serve others more effectively?