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This is What Love Looks Like
Philippians 2:5-8 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. Jesus could have come to earth and had it all. He was in fact God, the creator of everything. He could have used his authority to force people to respect Him. He could have used His power to let everyone know exactly who He was. He could have forced people to tend to his every want and need. But He didn't. Instead, Jesus chose Humility, Sacrifice, and Kindness. An incredible example of this is when Jesus was on the cross and chooses to have a conversation with the criminal hanging next to Him. Let’s think about where Jesus is right now and what he has gone through up to this point. He has been whipped, beaten, mocked, betrayed, spat on, and now he nailed to a cross slowly suffocating. Jesus is excruciating pain. If there was ever a moment where we could have forgiven Jesus for thinking about himself, this was it. And yet he uses his final breaths to communicate with the man dying beside him. To not only talk with him but to bring comfort to him and invite him into paradise. (Luke 23:32-43) Jesus, even in this painful, broken place, chose to show love to someone who didn't deserve it. Ask yourself, “Am I willing to have the same attitude as Christ today?” If you are, it means choosing the road most people don’t take. Choosing humility, sacrifice, and kindness over power selfishness and control. And finally choosing others over yourself. Sometimes that means showing love to people who don’t deserve it. In His life and death, Jesus consistently chose us over Himself. That's what love looks like. Pastor Blake
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AuthorNotes from the Staff @The Woods Archives
March 2023
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