SATAN IS A DEFEATED ENEMY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 4, 2019.

SUBJECT: SATAN IS A DEFEATED ENEMY!

Memory verse: "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.” (Second Corinthians 2 vs 14.)

READ: Colossians 2 vs 13 - 15:

2:13: And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,

2:14: having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

2:15: Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

INTIMATION:

Yes, we have war with a defeated enemy. God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, as a propitiation for our sins. Jesus came on legal grounds, took our place, and fought the Adversary on our behalf. Everything that Jesus did is accredited to us. The entire substitutionary work of Christ was for us. He didn't conquer Satan for Himself. He didn't put sin away for Himself. He didn't suffer the judgement that would have fallen upon the sinners for Himself. But He suffered it on our behalf, and we have entered into His victory, it is accredited to us. So Satan now is a defeated enemy.

The enemy of our souls—the Adversary, the ruler of this world, who always leads us to sin, that is, to rebel against God, and constantly accusing us before God for our sins, was flatly defeated when God sent His Son, Jesus, to legally pay the penalty of sin on our behalf. Satan was defeated before Jesus arose from the dead. We were crucified with Christ (Romans 6 vs 6; Galatians 2 vs 20), died with Christ (Romans 6 vs 8), buried with Christ (Romans 6 vs 4), suffered with Christ (Romans 8 vs 17; First Peter 1 vs 4; 4 vs 13), justified with Christ (Romans 5 vs 1), made alive with Christ (Romans 6 vs 8), conquered the Adversary with Christ, and then were raised together with Him (Ephesians 2 vs 5 - 6; Colossians 2 vs 13), and now we are seated together with Him (Ephesians 2 vs 6). That shows us our utter oneness and union with Christ.

In the passage we read today, the Scripture says that Jesus wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. “The handwriting of requirements that was against us” was the legal demands of the Old Testament law. The law opposed us by its demands for payment for our sin (Ezekiel 18 vs 4; Romans 6 vs 23). And Jesus Christ has taken it out of the way, haven legally paid the penalty, and nailed the requirements to the cross.  

The war against Satan was fought and won for us by Christ on the cross. Christ disarmed Satan and his demons on the cross, and stripped the defeated enemy of his armor on the battlefield. He triumphed over them and made a public spectacle of them on the cross for all to see, Therefore, there is no denial of the fact, and hence God declared us not guilty, and we need no longer live under sin’s power—the devil’s power. He delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1 vs 13).

We are recreated in Christ when we accepted the substitutionary work of Christ for us. We war not with flesh and blood, not with humans, but with demons who know that we are, in Jesus' Name, their masters. Every demon knows that you, the recreated one, are his master. We enjoy our new lives in Christ because we have joined Him in His death and resurrection. Our evil desires, our bondage to sin, and our love of sin died with Him. Now, joining Him in His resurrection life, we may have unbroken fellowship with God, and we can be clean and new. 

Satan and his cohorts rule us by subterfuge, by bluff, by deception. For instance, they put diseases upon us and hold us in bondage through our ignorance of what we are in Christ and what belongs to us. Once they know you know your rights in Christ, you are free from their attacks. Let us know, claim, and exercise our rights in Christ. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots, we will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin. The difference is that before we were saved, we were slaves to our sinful nature, but now we are free to live for Christ.

Jesus Christ was glorified when He finished the work (John 19 vs 30), and sat at the right hand of the Father—the hand of authority—in the heavenly places, and with all the authorities handed over to Him (Matthew 28 vs 18). He is the head of the body—the church (Colossians 1 vs 18), and He sits in heaven with His body, far above principalities and powers, as the head cannot be without the body. And the Father has qualified us, as the body, to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption You gave me in Jesus Christ. Engrace me to always exercise my rights in Christ, thereby putting the Adversary far away from me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

CHOOSE YOUR WORDS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY DECEMBER 3, 2019.

SUBJECT: CHOOSE YOUR WORDS!

Memory verse: "But I say to you that every idle word men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement."(Matthew 12 vs 36.)

READ: Ephesians 4 vs 29; 5 vs 4; Colossians 3 vs 8:

Ephesians 4:29: Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impact grace to the hearers.

5:4: neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving thanks. 

Colossians 3:8: But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

INTIMATION:

Words are powerful. Because they can lead to great sin, we should use them with great care. What you say and what you don’t say are both important. We should be very careful to choose our words, knowing that we are accountable to God for every idle word we speak. All believers should remain true to their confession of faith. 

There are three classes of words. The first is neutral, colorless, empty, soulless words. These constitute the general conversation of most people. They are just empty words of the monotone, there is no power, no soul, no color, and no life in such words, just sounds thrown out in the air. For instance when you ask somebody 'how are you,' and the person replies, 'well I am there.' You feel the emptiness, hopelessness, soulless, life-lacking nature in the words spoken by the person. 

The second class of words comprises construction words, strength-building words, healing words, and inspirational words. These are thrilling, mighty, and dominant words, and they are pregnant with hope, love, and victory. For instance when you are asked the same question, 'how are you,' no matter the situation you may be in, you boldly answer; I am doing real good, "For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him against this day" (Second Timothy 1 vs 12); "He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me" (Ephesians 3 vs 20); "He supplies all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4 vs 19); "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4 vs 13); and "God is for me, and nobody can be against me" (Romans 8 vs 31).

The third class is composed of destructive, hate-filled words full of scandal, jealousy, and deadly virus, they come from a heart full bitterness, and are sent out to wound, blight, and curse. When asked the same question as above, the reply might be 'Can't you see how this wicked world has kept me'; 'I never knew I will see today'; 'life is hopeless.' Improper language should have no place in the Christian’s conversation because it does not reflect God’s gracious presence in us. Also, obscene stories and coarse jokes are common that we begin to take them for granted. How can we praise God and remind others of His goodness when we are speaking coarsely? 

Be careful, what you say is what you get. Choose to speak constructive words, say what God said boldly, with faith, and obtain His promises attached, because He is faithful who had promised (Hebrews 11 vs 11). 

Prayer: Abba Father, engrace me to always speak constructively, confessing Your Word in faith, that I may obtain the promises according to Your Word, in Jesus’ Name I prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

YOUR COFESSION OF FAITH!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

MONDAY DECEMBER 2, 2019.

SUBJECT: YOUR CONFESSION OF FAITH!

Memory verse: "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says."(Mark 11 vs 23.)

READ: James 1 vs 6 - 8:

1:6: But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

1:7: For let not that man, suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 

1:8: he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways

INTIMATION:

To confess is to declare openly by way of speaking out freely, such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts. The confession of faith, therefore, is declaring openly by way of speaking out freely your faith in God and His Word out of your deep conviction of the reality of God and His Word. It is agreeing with God, and saying the same thing the Scriptures say, affirming what God says in His Word. It is noteworthy that many people confuse confession of faith in God and His Word with confession regarding our merely admitting to wrongdoing in our lives. 

In Hebrews 10 vs 23, the Scripture instructs us thus, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).” We are to hold fast to our confession (profession) of our hope (faith) without wavering, for God who promised is faithful. And as we hold fast to our confession, we are to "affirm constantly the faithful sayings" (Titus 3 vs 8), of the things God has revealed to us in His Word. Therefore, to confess your faith, you say what God has said over and over again until that thing desired in our hearts and promised in the Word is fully manifested. The Word of God is a seed (Luke 8 vs 11), therefore, sow the seed of the Word by confessing it, water it by constant affirmation, and wait patiently as the seed springs up, yields a crop, and bears fruit (Luke 8 vs 8 & 15).

The Word of God is living, and now. The Word is like the author; Eternal, Unchanging, and Living. Jesus remarked in Mark 9 vs 23; "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." Note that the word 'believes' is a present-continuous tense. It is not that all things are possible to him who 'believe'. The believing is continuous because the Word of God is in the now and living. You don't believe today, and tomorrow be filled with doubt. You can't believe now, and later begin to doubt. In the passage we read today, James called that a wavering faith, indicating a doubtful mind.

Doubt is the opposite of faith. You have faith when you take God at His Word. You doubt when you do not to take God at His Word, hence you fail to make a decision to take God's Word applicable circumstances. Our faith in God and His Word must not waver, and must remain firm, no matter how frightened or unsure we may feel about the outcome of the matter. If God has said it, then rest assured it will come to pass (Isaiah 55 vs 11), though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come (Habakkuk 2 vs 3).

Look at the wonderful Scripture in our memory verse, if you harbor no doubt in your believe and speak it out, you will surely receive that which you says. Note that in the previous verse 22. Jesus said, "Have faith in God," for without faith we can't please him (Hebrews 11 vs 6). And how can you receive from Him when you can't please Him. There are two conditions in the verse given to receiving "whatever" you say. One is ‘believing’: you have to believe in your heart that what you say will come to pass. The other is ‘speaking out’: you have to say the thing you are believing in order for the thing which you say to happen.

Many people think that they need "great faith" in order to have their words work. This is not what Jesus taught. However, He said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17 vs 20). The understanding from this verse is that even by having a little faith as tiny as the tiniest seed on earth, and put that faith into words—speaking the words, you will surely have what you says. The outcome may or may not be immediate but it is sure to come. 

Dare to say exactly what God says in His Word and mean what you say as God means all He says and says what He means. Agree with God by speaking His Word in all circumstances. Jesus said, "The words that I speak to you they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6 vs 63). Therefore, when you speak truly the Word of God, and mean it, that is you speak faith-filled words, you speak life into your circumstance, because those true Words of God are "life to them that find them" (Proverbs 4 vs 22).

Your duty as a 'believer' is to boldly declare the Word, and it is God's duty to confirm, and perform them (Isaiah 44 vs 26), for He 'hastens His word to perform it' (Jeremiah 1 vs 12). It is your bold declaration of God’s Word that overcomes Satan's power (Revelation 12 vs 11).

Prayer: Abba Father, forever Your Word is settled in heaven. Engrace me to boldly confess and affirm Your Word into situations that confront me, that I may live a triumphant life, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen. 

PRAISE THE LORD!

GIVING WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY DECEMBER 1, 2019.

SUBJECT : GIVING WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE!

Memory verse: "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you" (Luke 6 vs 38).

READ: Psalm 50 vs 7 - 15:

50:7: Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God! 

50:8: I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me. 

50:9: I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds. 

50:10: For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 

50:11: I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beast of the field are Mine. 

50:12: "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness. 

50:13: Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 

50:14: Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High.

50:15: Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.

INTIMATION:

The attitude with which you give determines the manner of your receiving. The right attitude in giving ensures receiving rightly from God. When you give with a wrong attitude, or in a wrong manner, you receive nothing from God. For instance, the religious rituals of going to church, taking communion, paying tithes, giving to charity, or to the church, are all empty if our motives of doing them are selfish. God doesn't want these sacrifices and offerings without an attitude of devotion to Him. 

Many believers' giving fall into the scenario hinted above. They participate in religious activities out of habit or conformity rather than out of heartfelt love and obedience to God. Some give to be recognized; be seen as a financial pillar in the church or ministry, or for self-actualization, not our of love and obedient obligation to the LORD.

In our memory verse, we have seen that our receiving is tied to our giving. Note, most importantly, that the Scripture says, "the measure we use," not "the measure we give." Many people confuse the two statements. If we give in love, we receive in lovely manner, but if give in hate, or grudgingly, we receive in like manner. If we are critical rather than compassionate, we will also receive criticism. If we treat others generously, graciously, and compassionately, these qualities will come back to us in full measure. We are to love others, not judge them.

In the passage we read, God was saying to His chosen people that His disagreement with them wasn't about a lack of sacrifices on their part because they had been offering sacrifices continually. His complaint against them was the heart attitude in making those sacrifices and offerings. They thought they were making the sacrifices because God somehow needed their bulls and goats. In this Scripture, God made it clear to them that He didn't need anything from them; everything already belongs to the Lord. He doesn't need to ask anyone for food. The truth is that the Israelites needed those sacrifices. They needed to give back to God to show their trust, devotion, and dependence upon Him; It wasn't for God—it's for them. The same is applicable to us today, God has not changed. The offerings and tithe exist for our benefit, not God's.

 God doesn't need your giving today any more than He needed those Old Testament sacrifices. The reason of our giving is for us to learn to recognize God as the source of all you have (John 3 vs 27). It's one thing to say we believe God is our source, but it's another thing to prove it. The way we prove to ourselves, not God, that He is our source, is to give a portion of what we have received back to Him. People who don't really see God as their source are going to balk at giving part of what they have away. They are selfish, and usually are going to think, 'I need this thing!' But giving back some of what God has already given you is nothing when you see God as your source.

Prayer: Abba Father, You are my everything. All I have You have given me. I am nothing without You. You have freely given me all things out of Your love for me. Let me therefore, give lovingly, and in full devotion to You, that I will receive Your approval, in Jesus' Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

THE INEGRITY OF GOD’S WORD!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2019.

SUBJECT: THE INTEGRITY OF GOD’S WORD! 

Memory verse: "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119 vs 89.) 

READ: Isaiah 55 vs 10 - 11: 

55:10: For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return not there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

55:11: So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

INTIMATION:

God embodies all truth, therefore, He cannot lie. Because God is truth, you are secured in His Word; you don’t need to wonder if He will change His mind or plans, and by His nature He cannot change (Malachi 3 vs 6; Hebrews 13 vs 8) hence the Scripture recognizes the immutability of His Word (see Hebrews 6 vs 17 - 18). The integrity of the Word is the basis of faith, hence Paul called it "The Word of faith" (Romans 10 vs 8). The reason for unbelief and a faltering faith is a lack of assurance of the integrity of the promises in the Word. God's Word is an embodiment of His faith. When you understand rightly the integrity of God's Word, you will then appreciate why David said the Word is sweeter than honey to his mouth (Psalm 119 vs 103). 

In Hebrews 11 vs 3 the Bible states: "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible." God called the universe into existence out of nothing; He declared that it was to be, and it was. Our faith is in the God who created the entire universe by His Word. God's Word has awesome power.

God is the same with His Word, and linked Himself with His Word hence He named Jesus "the Word." He is back of His Word, and He cannot be separated from His Word (John 1 vs 1). The same Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1 vs 14), and more than 2500 years of the coming of Christ, the Word had the same creative and powerful effects when spoken by Him.

Here are some facts about the Word; (1) The Word is always now; (2) It has been, it is, and it will be, the voice of God; (3) It is never old, it is always fresh and new; (4) To the heart that is in fellowship with the Father, the Word is a present-tense, living voice from heaven; (5) The Word is like the author: Eternal, Unchanging, Living.

Jesus is the guarantor for every word from The New Testament (Matthew 1 vs 1 to Revelation 22 vs 21). All heaven is back of the Word; the very throne of God is back of the Word; and Jesus and the Father are back of the throne. 

Jesus said in John 16 vs 28: "I came from the Father, and am come into the world; again, I leave the world, and go unto my Father." The Word came into the world from the Author and has gone to be with the Author, having the same power. When you speak the word, you are speaking God and the Son Jesus into the situation. 

Now that you have known the unchanging nature and efficacy of His Word (Psalm 33 vs 11; Isaiah 14 vs 24; 40 vs 8), as well as the purity and power in the Word (Proverbs 30 vs 5; Psalm 12 vs 6; Psalm 18 vs 30; Hebrews 4 vs 12), and how He hastens to perform His Word (Jeremiah 1 vs 12), search, and locate the desired Word applicable to the situation of concern in your life. Jesus clearly stated that all authority has been given to Him in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28 vs 18), and He handed us the same authority to the believers in His name. The Word spoken in His name works wonders (Mark 16 vs 15 - 18).

For instance, if you are having any health challenges, see Psalm 107 vs 20, how God sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Speak the Word in Isaiah 53 vs 4 - 5, Matthew 8 vs 17, First Peter 2 vs 24, into your health situation; "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; and by His stripes we are healed; He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses" in His body nailed them on the Cross that we might be free and are freed. Keep saying it, don't stop saying it, and the result is sure to come. Though it may tarry, be patient and wait for it, for it shall surely come. 

There is a Word for every situation in life. Locate the Word for what you are requesting, sow the seed by speaking the Word (Luke 8 vs 11), and when sowed on good soil (the good soil is the qualifying conditions mentioned above), you are certain of bearing good fruit of up to a hundredfold.

While locating the Word don't loose site of the qualifying conditions to bring the power in the Word into action. These are: (1) you must be a believer; (2) you must not hold a grudge against another person (Mark 11 vs 25); (3) you must not pray with selfish motives; (4) your request must be for the good of God's kingdom; (5) you must have faith in God and His Word, not faith in the object of your request.

Prayer: Abba Father, You all given us all things in Your Word. Engrace me to daily search the Scriptures for Your Word that I may lead a triumphant life, overcoming all circumstances by Your Word, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

GOD GIVES US THE GRACE TO LIVE HOLY!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2019.

SUBJECT: GOD GIVES US THE GRACE TO LIVE HOLY! 

Memory verse: "For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly." (Psalm 84 vs 11.)

READ: Second Timothy 1 vs 9; First Peter 1 vs 15 - 16: 

Second Timothy 1:9: Who has saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

First Peter 1:15: He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 

1:16: because it is written 'Be holy for I am holy'

INTIMATION:

Grace has been defined as undeserved (unmerited) favor. That is one aspect of grace, probably the one that we are most accustomed to hearing about, and it is wonderful. But we have also seen that grace is much more than that. Grace is power—the power of the Holy Spirit to come into our life and overcome our own evil tendencies. It is the power of God available to meet our needs without cost to us. There is nothing more powerful than grace, and it is received by believing rather than through human effort.

God's plan for us ab initio, is to be like Him, hence His creating us in His own image and after His likeness. He wanted us to live like Him. Unfortunately, sin separated us from Him. But in His love, mercy and grace, He sent His Son, as a propitiation for our sins (First John 4 vs 10), and through His blood reconciled us back to Himself, to live for Him and be like Him. God is holy and demands that we be holy. We are to separate ourselves from the world's sinful values, and be devoted to God's desire rather than our own, and carry His love and mercy into the world. 

But while God wants us to be holy, He realizes our weakness and inability. He knows that without help we can never be what He desires for us to be or do what He wants us to do. That is why He has sent His Spirit (the Comforter, Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby, Empower, and Encourager) to help us to fulfill His design and purpose for us.

Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us, and the Holy Spirit has been sent to prepare us for that place. That is not a Scripture, but it is scriptural; that is a truth based on the Word of God. This process through which the Holy Spirit makes us holy, or leads us into holiness is called sanctification. Sanctification therefore, refers to the process that God uses to do a work in us by His indwelling Holy Spirit to make us more and more holy until finally we become just like His Son Jesus. It is God's grace (the power of the Holy Spirit) we receive that enables us to meet the need of sanctification—the transformation process to holiness.

Sanctification (being made holy) is a progressive venture. The finality of that process will never occur while we are in these earthly bodies. But you and I don't need to be concerned about that. The only thing we need to be concerned about is progress. The question we must ask ourselves is: ‘are we making progress toward holiness, are we cooperating with the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to do what He wants to do in our lives?’

As believers we are not to be anxious about holiness or the process of sanctification ('be anxious for nothing' (Philippians 4 vs 6)), but we are to be serious about it. We are to recognize that it is God's will for us. We are to desire and thirst for it with all our hearts, and sincerely ask God for it in our fellowship with Him. We are to make every effort to cooperate with the Holy Spirit Who is working to bring it to pass in us day by day. But while we are not to worry about holiness, we are also not to have a light attitude toward sin. Grace is not a license to sin.

Like the believers in Paul's day, our problem is not just a misunderstanding of sin, it is also a misunderstanding of grace. When the Holy Spirit shows us what to do to keep from sinning and walk in holiness, we immediately try to do it our own without His help. We struggle and strive and strain, eventually ending up miserable and frustrated and confused because we don't understand why we keep failing. The ultimate goal to be accomplished in us by grace is to empower us to live a holy life—consecrated and set aside to God for His sacred use and purpose.

Prayer: Abba Father, give me the grace to live holy; being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and receiving His empowerment to comply accordingly, in Jesus’ Name I prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

LIVE LIKE CHRIST: BE SELFLESS!

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28, 2019.

SUBJECT: LIVE LIKE CHRIST: BE SELFLESS! 

Memory verse: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6 vs 2.)

READ: Philippians 2 vs 3 - 11:

2:3: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 

2:4: Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interest of others.

2:5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
2:6: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
2:7: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
2:8: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

INTIMATION:

Being selfless is laying aside right. It is putting others first. Selflessness is having no regard to self, being altruistic—living and acting for the interest of others. Selflessness is inconveniencing yourself for the happiness, and benefit of others. Many people, including Christians, live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves—the 'Me first' attitude. Living like Christ is principally a life built on love. Jesus gave us a new commandment in John 13 vs 34 - 35, He said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." Living like Christ is living a life built on love. 

Selfishness is ambitious and conceit (arrogance, excessive pride, haughtiness) is seen among Christians, abounding in churches (the Body of Christ). Christians compete amongst themselves with the motive to undo the other; backbiting, gossiping, witch hunting, working against the interest of others, and so on. 

Always think of yourself the way Jesus thought of Himself. Though He is God, and equal with God in status, but didn't think so much of Himself that He had to cling to the advantages of that status, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men, to serve selflessly. He made the greatest sacrifice of dying for others' sins when He had no sin, paying the penalty of death for the whole world, which aught to be paid by all of us sinners (Romans 3 vs 23; 6 vs 23).

As humans born into this world, we’re all selfish by nature. We’re born with a sinful nature that daily bows before the deity called ‘self,’ and until we crucify the “Adamic nature,” we’ll continue to struggle with selfishness. A selfless Christian does not seek to be known, praised or rewarded for the good he does because he doesn’t glory in the flesh. All he or she wishes is for Christ to be seen and glorified in his or her attitude and actions which when faithfully executed, will draw all people to Christ.

Though it is difficult to lead a selfless lifestyle but we need to start from somewhere and let the Holy Spirt help us accomplish the rest. For instance, Christians should not struggle in traffic jam, in fuel queues, in difficult circumstances, to take the first turn. When you do such, where is selflessness? Let the love and mind of Christ be in you always! Christlike selflessness is the mark of a true Christian. It was for this reason that the apostle Paul, in his letter to the believers in Philippi, said, "Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus." The entire Christian experience should be one of continued acts of selflessness, to 'deny self daily while following the Lord’ (Luke 9 vs 23).

We must act differently from the world around us if we are to actually show ourselves as children of the heavenly kingdom. Selflessness must be the watchword in our dealings with everybody—Christians and non Christians alike. Selflessness will make us willingly give up comforts so our neighbor can have little of what God has blessed us with. It will make us think twice before abusing a position of responsibility entrusted to us in the Church of God, public service or business. Selflessness will make church leaders promote the gospel more than they promote themselves and their denominations. It will make us allocate church resources more to places where it will benefit the church rather than projects which massage our ego and buttress our vanity. 

Let us not be moved by the promise of instant gratification of self to destroy the good work God has called us to do. We’ll be more effective carriers of the good news of the gospel if our individual lives become examples of selflessness.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the excellent spirit of selflessness, that the mind of Christ will be in me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!