Daily Devotional

Word of the Day

Choosing No Reputation

When we talk about choosing and the ability to choose, are we talking about works? Do we mean trusting in our own ability and strength? Of course not. You are not able to do it. In me, that is, in my flesh dwells no good thing (Rom. 7:18). Without Him I can do nothing (John 15:5). We are talking about choosing to let God finish the work in you and choosing the mind of Christ.

Paul says in Philippians 2:2-3, "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind..." The things that make you make the wrong choices are haughtiness, pride, self-will and selfishness. How do we get to where we can make the right choices? It is by becoming the meek that inherit the earth. "[By] lowliness of mind let each [one] esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus [the mind of a servant]" (Phil. 2:3-5). What choices are there when we truly believe that we are here to do the will of God, to serve others and not ourselves? How difficult is it when we believe that it's more blessed to give than to receive. Do you believe that? When you have experienced it, you know it is true. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Why isn't that always real and working in our hearts? It all has to do with how we perceive ourselves--our worth, our ability to think and to make decisions, and our trust in our own understanding.

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus...[who] made himself of no reputation..." (Phil. 2:5, 7). Are your decisions based upon a false reputation that you have built? You think you deserve this. You think you know. You think you have the ability. You think you have the right. Jesus chose to be of no reputation. To make right choices of honoring God and walking in the spirit, we have to esteem others better than ourselves. We have to look to the things of others. We have to take on the mind of the servant, making ourselves of no reputation. We choose to be the servant (verse 7 says), humbling ourselves even to the obedience of our personal, daily cross. Then and only then, do you become a candidate for exaltation. But God exalts us; we can not exalt ourselves--ever. Humble yourself, and in due time God will exalt you (1 Pet. 5:6). Any exaltation that is not of God is sin. Anything you have accomplished in your own strength is sin. It is going to burn up. It is in opposition to God. Paul said, "The things I used to boast in I now count worthless. It's dung. It's refuse. I want to see it more for what it is, that I might win Christ."

Realize that every one of us has been graced with the same ability. "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13). If we are not doing God's will, then it's because we choose not to, not because we lack the ability or the revelation. We sure don't lack the opportunity to serve and to become salt and light. We don't lack opportunities to esteem others better than ourselves and to look beyond ourselves to experience the blessing of giving and not receiving. God has set before you today the opportunity to really know life. Then why are so many choosing the death of selfishness, self-involvement, and their own agendas?

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