To Make (A) Disciple(s), You Must Be One! Pt 2
“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. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5
Love and Lordship in Focus…One of the key “ingredients” to being His disciple and rubbing off on others as we go along the way is that of Humility. Humility is being confident and content in who you are in Christ so you can willingly submit and place others above you…just like Jesus did for us!
Modeling our Love – Humility
Look what Paul does here…he clearly gives us what it looks like to live as a disciple and emphasizes that we should do so because in this way we are modeling our Lord:
- Don’t be selfish
- Don’t be vain (prideful)
- Walk in humility – place others above yourself
- Don’t just look after yourself but look after others
- This is the mindset that comes from our Lord…build your relationships according to His design!
One Paul, One Timothy in Your Life
Following the Biblical teaching, we are to study and work to be Christ’s disciples and we are to do it in relationship with Him and one another. Looking first to Christ as our Lord we then should find at least one person more mature in the faith than us to be a “Paul” in our life and at least one who is younger (less mature) in the faith that can be a “Timothy” that we pour into. We should always be being discipled by one more mature and be discipling at least one who is less mature, growing together in The Lord.
Finally, this should begin in our homes as spouses and parents. Moms and dads be the “Paul or Pauline” in your children’s live as they are your first and most important “Timothy(s) or Timothena(s).” If we are modeling Christ to them then He is not only encouraging and blessing them, He is growing us! This is how we build His family, The Church, by being and making disciples first in our own!
Food for Thought – Do you equate humility with humiliation? That’s exactly what the enemy wants you to do so you will not desire to follow through in obedience to God in following His command for you to be like Christ in humility. Humiliation always comes when we follow our fleshly desires. Humility comes when we follow Christ’s example found in God’s Word and led by His Spirit.
Love in Action – During your quiet time with The Lord this week ask Him to show you where you are living in pride, even false humility, and how you can better know who you are in Christ so you can walk in humility.
Love and Lordship Prayer Focus Heavenly Father, thank You for making me holy in Christ. I realize that You’ve given this freely and you ask me to, in light of this gift, to give myself back to You. Only as I turn from the world and my own pride and flesh can I become a “living sacrifice” to You. Teach me and help me renew my mind in Your Word and Spirit so that others see Your will in and through me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Contact us at loveandlordship@gmail.com.