Crossed Arms and Bended Knees
The world is getting more and more volatile by the day—violence, political agendas, injustice, hatred, and so much more. The devil loves it. Even those who call ourselves Christians are adding fuel to the fire. We throw out self-promoting posts, pointing fingers at all the people who “have it wrong.” We allow cynicism to rise within our hearts and minds as we view all that’s going on in our world. But what in the world are we doing? It is time, brothers and sisters, to uncross our arms and put our fingers down. It’s time to allow God to soften our hearts again toward Him and the things of His Kingdom.
It is time for us to go back to the basics of Christ’s call on our life. A significant piece to this call and the Kingdom of God is humility. Philippians 2 gives us an image of what Christ did when He came to earth. Are we not called to the same way of living? Christ had every reason to boast about who He was, but He chose humility instead. Before He came to this earth, He was in heaven with the Father, no pain or hardship, no sickness, no annoying disciples in His face still not getting it. He could have remained in the comforts and glory of heaven, but instead, He came to save us all, all who sin and fall short of His glory. (Roman’s 3:23) All who aren’t worthy to tie the straps of His sandals. (John 1:27) All who are selfish, weak, and way too inclined to boast. All. He died for us even though we all deserve death. (Ephesians 2:3) If we want to display humility as Christ did, we must always remember this fact that He died for us all, and none of us deserve it. Yes, He even died for that person who continually posts things with which you disagree!
Philippians 2:1-2 “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in the Spirit and of one mind.” It sounds odd and impossible to think about a bunch of people having one mind. BUT when we die to ourselves and surrender fully to God, we take on the mind of Christ along with the new creation we receive. When we bend our knees, bend our will to the will of God, we can be that church Paul is talking about in Philippians 2. We can have the same mind, and when that happens and we all focus first and foremost on God, His will, and His Kingdom. Humility reigns, and cynicism and selfishness dissipate.
Right now, in this world, we must stand up as Christians but stand in His shadow. With humility in the knowledge of who we are and Who’s we are! It’s not about us, our plan, our ideals, our political points of view! It’s about Jesus Christ, His Kingdom, His gospel, His truth, His love, His sacrifice. When we uncross our arms and bend our knees, it’s only then that we can shine Jesus light on the madness in this world. In humility, we must stand up for the Kingdom that never ends. (Isaiah 9:7) The Kingdom that says the first shall be last. (Matthew 20:16) The Kingdom that says let it all go to gain it all. (Philippians 1:21)