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Philippians 2:3-7 (NIV) says, “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: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” God’s Word does not give the Christian a free pass! We don’t read “because you’re a sinner, it’s hard to be like Christ who was perfect, but try.” Paul instead commands us to have the same mindset as Christ; giving us no latitude or excuse to underperform in this regard. We are to do what feels impossible through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us – to put others above ourselves. Those of us who have made a commitment to another in marriage have no better place to practice this than with our spouses. Often it is with them that this mindset is the hardest. We have seen their warts and all. We have had long days and just gotten home. We know we’re in the right on a debate we’re having! Yet a life submitted to Christ is one that lays down all those points and instead looks to the other’s interests. It places a higher value on what they need and want rather than what I need and want. I pray that you take hold of the immediate refreshing that can happen in your home and marriage when you submit to Christ’s command that we deny ourselves and follow Him by serving those around us. He saw our ultimate need for reconciliation with the Father and paid the ultimate price to fulfill that need. May we now look to the needs of others and find joy in fulfilling them – starting in our own marriages.
~ Daniel Mueller, CCC Elder
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