The Same Attitude

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Philippians 2:5-8 NLT

Say you're in the grocery store and God nudges you to pray for someone in one of the aisles and you don't know the person. Or perhaps you get a heart-check to pay for their groceries, would you do it? Or would you politely decline with something like, "That's way out of my comfort zone, God. I can't do that." And then expect God to understand... I don't think He will understand. You see, in Romans 8, verse 29 (the Message), we are told, God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him.

There were times Christ operated outside of His comfort zone. If you don't believe that, read the account of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. In His fully human state, His spirit was troubled. Matthew 26:39, He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me..."  And yet, even when He was out of His comfort zone, He operated in obedience to God. 100% and always. "Nevertheless, Thy will be done."  

According to the Word of God, God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son.  And as our Promise for Today clearly states, we are to have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 

Prayer:

Father,

           Help us to walk in full obedience to You as Christ did, even when outside of our comfort zone. We know it's all about obedience and following you. Holy Spirit, as was promised, give us the power to become the children of God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen