Year 5, Day 184: Philippians 2

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Discipleship Focus: Imitation

• Imitation: This is the second over-arching step of the discipleship process.  First we gain information, then we imitate our spiritual mentor.  Imitation leads to innovation of spirituality in our own life.

Philippians 2 is a great chapter for looking at the topic of imitation.  It begins with Paul encouraging the people of Philippi to be humble and live according to God’s ways.  They are to do nothing of selfish ambition.  They are not to be conceited.  They are to think of other people as more important as themselves.

However, look at what Paul points to next.  If the Philippians need inspiration, all they need to do is look at Christ.  Jesus gave up all that He had in order to become man.  He came to teach other people who didn’t deserve to be taught.  He came to die for people who were certainly less than Him.  He came to show others what it means to think of other people first.  He came to demonstrate the godly life.

Jesus is the greatest example that any of us could ever hope to have.  When we are in a moment of temptation, we can look to Christ.  When we are in a moment of self-centeredness, Christ can cure it.  When we are in a moment of indecision, we can see how Christ was willingly obedient.

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