Serve God By Serving Man
"Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross." -- 2 Philippians 2:6-8
I guess you could consider this part two on humility. Jesus came to this earth to serve -- and to set an example for us. We get so caught up in our own lives that it's easy to skip the servant part. But wasn't that His main lesson?
I get upset when people look down on others as less than themselves. It's something that is way too common in the Christian community. We need to remember that we are all God's children. Let me emphasize that word all.
As Pastor Susannah said recently, we are all in the same boat. We are all God's children and we are all sinners. Every one of us, from the person who tells a "white lie" to spare someone's feelings to the person who commits murder. He loves us all equally. That's something that is sometimes hard to grasp. It's easy to get caught up in that "He loves me more" mentality.
Just as He came to serve, He has called us to serve others. That means helping others up when they fall down -- no matter the reason. It means offering a kind word, an extra $20 or a warm coat. It means showing others that Christ lives within us not only by our words but most especially by our actions.
No one is beyond God's reach or His hope. None of us have ever moved so far away that He won't hear our cry and reach out in love as He welcomes us back. If He is so kind and generous to all of us, why do we look down on others who are also sinners? Why do we not show others the same kindness and compassion He shows us?
We are all God's children. We are called to reach out in love to others, without expecting anything in return. The funny thing is that when we expect nothing, that's when we end up getting back more than we could ever have anticipated.
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