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Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) states:
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross!
While Jesus was fully God, Jesus did only what the Father wanted Him to do. While Jesus was fully God, Jesus lived in perfect submission to the Father. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to do the same.
Psalm 100:3 (NIV) states: Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
When the sheep follow the shepherd’s leading, they have what they need. However, if the sheep go their own way, whether by influence or choice, they potentially place themselves on the path of danger.
Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) states: Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
We are faced with choices every day. We can choose to live a life wholeheartedly focused on doing what God wants us to do. A life of pursuing God’s Will. A life lived to glorify God. Just like Jesus lived! Or, we can live as if we are our own authority. Where we focus on self and go the way of our heart’s choosing. Unfortunately, if we are our own authority, the potential is high that, just like sheep who are prone to wander, we may go the way of danger. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) states: Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Psalm 17:5 (NIV) tells us: My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. What a testimony to live a life holding to the paths God has prepared for us. So how do we live this way? A life where all that we are – our heart’s desires, the thoughts we think, the words we say – are all in alignment with God.
Committing to live a life led by the Holy Spirit is a great start. Psalm 143:10 (NIV) states: Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. We must also read and meditate on God’s Word, pray, and listen and obey God. All of these keep us in alignment with God.
Be reminded that there is no safe ground away from God.
Only with God are we ever truly safe.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we must accept the importance of staying in close fellowship with God. We must accept that choosing God and God’s way is the right choice.
Let us not stray. Let us not go the way of the flesh, the world, or the enemy.
Let us stay on the paths that God has set for us to follow. The path where we live as Jesus lived. The path to greater depths of knowledge and intimacy with God. And the path that leads to eternal life.
1 John 2:6 (NLT) states: Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Except where indicated, scripture references are from the American Standard Version (ASV), Darby Translation (DARBY), or King James Version (KJV) – all public domains.
