Philippians 2:5-8
Memory Verse
For let this frame of the mind be in you all, which also was in Christ Jesus, Who, being in the form of Deity, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, coming to be in the likeness of a man, and being found in the outward appearance as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient up to the point of death, even a cross death (Philippians 2:5-8).
If there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any comfort from love, if there is any affection and compassion, we are to have the same frame of mind in love. Love seeks the best for the one loved. Within the Church, our frame of mind is to always seek the best for our brethren—not merely scoping out our own things, but those of others—so that we avoid selfishness and conceit, and instead, in humility, consider others more important than ourselves.
Our position must never alter our mindset to the point that we place ourselves above our fellow brethren in Christ. Christ Himself set the example: though He existed in the form of Deity, He did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped—for He is God—but took on the form of a servant, submitting to the Father’s will, even to the point of death (Philippians 2:6-8).
Our mindset must always prioritize the will of God over our own desires. Let us set aside fleshly desires by applying the truth (Romans 6:4–6, 11, 13) and live the remaining time we have in the flesh according to the desirous will of God (1 Peter 4:2). This world is passing away, but the one who does the will of the Father feels at ease into the next age—an age where righteousness rules (1 John 2:17).