So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:1 -11
The irony of this is not lost on me that this is posted on both Twitter and Facebook when I say I am not a big fan of Social Media. It seems that for many people, Social Media is a platform where people can say what they want, when they want, and how they want to say it. More recently, I have been quite appalled at the behavior of Christians toward other Christians. During this COVID-19 Pandemic, as our nation decides whether or not to reopen, Christians seem to attack one another and do it in the name of "loving one another." What is really happening, though is Christians are trying to be right, and lording it over one another. This is causing more division, and does nothing to further the Kingdom.
I see Christians using Bible Verses about love to shame people for choices they disagree with...choices that don't go against Scripture or God's word! In the long run, what political party, candidate, or personality we support will not matter. What matters is that we represent Christ Jesus well, and love as He loved. Jesus said the world would recognize us for how we loved one another, not how we Lord it over each other. Church, Love people in spite of your disagreements. Put aside non-essentials, and agree in Christ. Our LOVE is what distinguishes us as His. It is the mark that shows who belongs to Him. You can be biblically correct and miss out on this all important factor. I pray you don't.
Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.And he said to her,“What do you want?”She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left,in your kingdom.”Jesus answered,“You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?”They said to him, “We are able.”He said to them,“You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant,but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.But Jesus called them to him and said,“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:20-27)
