If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Phil. 2:1-4
Dear Lord Jesus, this portion of the Word is like a bottomless ocean of grace, an endless horizon of mercy, an artesian spring of eternal goodness, for it underscores your, glory, wonder and great love for us.
How I long for the day when my heart will not even be tempted to share its affection with any other suitor or wannabe savior. Hasten that Day, but until that Day, keep changing me in ways that empower me to love others as you love me.
Since the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love, I boldly ask for greater impressions of your love upon my heart. How else will I consider others better than myself? How else will I love my wife, my children, my friends, my church family, and strangers as you’re calling me to love them?
So, Jesus, what encouragement do I have from being united to you, and what comfort do I find in your love? More than can be measured. It means that the Father loves me as much as he loves you, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I can’t add to it or take away from it. It means that all of my sins—past, present, and future—are forgiven. It means I’m enveloped in your righteousness—fully and eternally acceptable to God in you. It means I’m guaranteed, one Day, to be as lovely and as loving as you are. It means all these things and many more.
It means I can love people, not expecting them to give me what you alone can supply. It means I can serve people and not hold them hostage to my selfish ambition and vain conceit. It means I can become more intrigued than irritated with others, more restful than rigid in their presence, more caring than criticizing of them. Indeed, Jesus, I want to love to your glory, by your grace, in this very day. So very Amen I pray, in your merciful and magnificent name.