Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, July 22, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-07-22-2017

This is devotional thought number 30 in our devotional series, “Essentials of Faith.” Our subject is: I Will to be Consecrated.

Here’s the question for consideration: What is the only way for me to be holy?

“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.” (Philippians 2:5–8).

Is there an echo in here? I know it seems we have been saying the same things different ways for a while now. That is by design. Repetition deepens the impression. Besides, who could not use a healthy reminder now and again?

One of the things I love about this passage of Scripture, in context of our devotional thought today, is that it begins with Jesus as our example. When we commit our lives to God, He immediately begins to empower us to follow in Christ’s footsteps. You know, the “W.W.J.D.” principle. This passage shows us the power of divesting ourselves of self as a path toward holiness. Humility before God is a secure position because humble people take instruction well. In the case of Christ, His humility and submission facilitated a sinless life and sacrifice for the benefit of others.

Notice how the passage begins. There’s this little word, “let” at the beginning of the sentence. This means to allow. God wants us to stand aside; to step away and allow the mindset of Christ to pervade our thoughts. Thoughts breed action as much as our actions are indicative of our thoughts, with few exceptions. The point is, God has made provision for us to receive the mindset and principles of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, as governors of our actions. When we think Christ’s thoughts after Him, we begin to behave like He did. We begin to speak like He did. We begin to help others like He did. And, ultimately, we begin to please the Father just like He did. If anyone could have been proud, it was Jesus. After all, He was as verily God as was His Father when He chose to humble Himself and adjoin His divine nature to a human body. He traversed this road of life with no divine advantages except inasmuch as He surrendered His will to His Father just like you can.

What is the only way for me to be holy? If I accept the mindset of Christ into my life, I will be holy.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)