Philippians 2:3-5 (KJV)
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Being a true Christian means following the example of Jesus Christ, who served others above Himself. It’s not about merely keeping the commandments, but about embodying the love, humility, and selflessness that Christ demonstrated through the gospel. True Christianity is about putting others before ourselves, just as Jesus did when He came down from His heavenly throne to die for our sins. This was an act of supreme love.
Jesus didn't do it out of obligation but out of a deep desire to reconcile us to God and make us holy citizens of heaven. In essence, he was thinking about how happy it would make us and God.
Jesus, the Son of God, had every right to remain in the glory of heaven. Yet, He chose to humble Himself, take on human form, and serve us by dying on the cross. He didn’t do this because He needed to, he did it because he loved us and wanted to.
This selflessness is the essence of what it means to be Christ-like.
In today’s world, many people trust and believe in themselves, putting their own needs above those of others. This self-centeredness is a barrier to true service. But as Christians, we are called to follow Jesus’ example of humility and service. We have nothing to lose because we have already gained everything through Jesus and the gospel. We have been made righteous, reconciled to God, and given eternal life. With this assurance, we can put aside our pride and ego in order to serve others.
Since we have already won and found God, we can help those who are lost.
Our service to others is not about gaining recognition or praise; it’s about winning hearts for the kingdom of God. When we serve others with genuine love and humility through the gospel, we reflect the heart of Christ. People see the peace, happiness, and holiness in our lives, and they are naturally drawn to it. Our job is not to force anyone to believe but to plant the seed of the gospel by living out the love of Christ.
True Christ-likeness involves a willingness to lay down our own desires, pride, and ego to serve others through the gospel. Jesus showed us that true greatness comes from humility and service, not from seeking power or recognition.
Imagine a world where everyone followed the example of Jesus in serving others through the gospel. There would be no room for strife, division, or selfishness. Instead, there would be peace, unity, and love. We would all see each other on the same level and each person would be considered perfect and righteous.
I want you all to reflect on your own life and ask yourself if you are truly living out the example of Christ in serving others. Are there areas where pride or self-interest have taken place over humility and service? I hope we can put ourselves above others in order to plant the gospel in their hearts. Remember, Jesus did it and thats why we are able to get to heaven. Without Jesus doing so, we could never be reconciled to God. Praise Yeshua!
Exodus 29:42-46 (KJV)
42 This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.
43 And there I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory.
44 And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office.
Many people talk about wanting to meet God, yet most are navigating blindly in hopes to meet him. People think we meet God through prayer, worship, or going to church. That is definitely possible however there is a surefire way that we can meet God every single day! I'm so thankful that the bible gives us the instructions directly from God on how to meet him daily.
The tabernacle was where God’s presence dwelled among the Israelites, and the door of the tabernacle was the meeting place between God and His people. In the New Testament, Jesus refers to Himself as the "door" (John 10:9), indicating that He is the way through which we enter into the presence of God.
God promised to meet with the Israelites at the door of the tabernacle. This meeting place symbolizes God’s desire to be present with His people, to guide them, and to communicate with them.
Not only does God meet us through Jesus and his gospel, he also does the job of sanctiftying. So many Christians are deceived into believing that we must sanctify ourselves through keeping the commandments. Just as the tabernacle was sanctified by God’s glory, so too are we sanctified by the presence and work of Jesus Christ. Our sanctification is not something we achieve through our own efforts. It is a gift, accomplished by Jesus through His death and resurrection. When we believe in Him, His righteousness and holiness are credited to us.
God repeatedly emphasizes, “I will sanctify.” This phrase underscores that sanctification is God’s work, not ours. The sanctification of the tabernacle, the altar, and the priests was entirely dependent on God’s action. The same is true for us today—our sanctification is God’s work, accomplished through Jesus Christ.
The most profound truth here is Exodus 29 is role the role we havein sanctification. We just need to believe and trust in Jesus. We do not need to strive to make ourselves holy. Believing in Jesus is the “work” we are called to do, and through that belief, His sanctification is applied to us.
Exodus 29:42-44 beautifully illustrates that sanctification is entirely the work of God. Just as the tabernacle, altar, and priests were sanctified by God’s glory, we too are sanctified by the glory and work of Jesus Christ. Our sanctification is not something we achieve; it is something we receive by faith.
When we try to sanctify ourselves through our own efforts, we miss the point of spiritual life. It’s not about striving to be perfect; it’s about believing in the One who is perfect and has already made us perfect. As we trust in Jesus, we are sanctified and set apart for God’s purposes, not by our own works, but by His grace and power. This truth is simple yet profound, and it’s at the heart of the Gospel. Jesus has done it all, and we are invited to simply believe and rest in His finished work.
Amen!
Please join for tomorrows Bible study @ 12PST, you don't want to miss out! Use promo code NEW50 for 50% off your first month, Tier 2 and Tier 3.
2 Peter 2:1-2 (KJV)
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
One of the biggest challenges in Christianity is finding out who truly is Christian and who is a false prophet.
In 2 Peter 2:1-2, the Apostle Peter gives a warning about the presence of false prophets and false teachers. These individuals infiltrate the church subtly, bringing in “damnable heresies” that even deny “the Lord that bought them.” Their teachings often focus heavily on self-effort, works, and self-righteousness, rather than the true gospel of grace. The result is confusion and destruction, as they lead people away from the freedom found in Jesus Christ.
False prophets often emphasize what people must do to become righteous. The advocate for keeping the commandments, following rules, and striving to attain holiness through their own efforts. They present a religion of self, where righteousness is something to be earned or maintained by works. This kind of teaching directly contradicts the gospel, which tells us that our righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
The true gospel message is that Jesus has perfected us forever through His sacrifice on the cross.
Our righteousness is a gift from God, not something we achieve through our efforts or adherence to the law. False teachers, however, deny this truth, preaching a gospel of works. 2 Peter 2:2 describes how "many shall follow their pernicious ways." This highlights the subtle but dangerous allure of following or trusting in yourself.
Following your way is what makes us false teachers because Jesus is THE way, meaning only way.
The "lust of the flesh" in this context is not just about obvious sins, but about the pride and self-reliance. When people believe that their works and obedience are what make them righteous, they are relying on the flesh, not on God's grace.
Self-righteousness is a form of pride that believes we can earn God’s favor by our own deeds. This is a trap because it leads us away from trusting in Jesus’ finished work. To rely on anything other than Jesus for our righteousness is to deny the sufficiency of His sacrifice.
These false teachers preach keeping the commandments and living righteously, but they neglect the foundational truth of the gospel: that our righteousness is from Christ alone. Even if we were to keep all the commandments, without the precious blood of Jesus, none of us could get to heaven. Good works are important as evidence of our faith, but they are not the basis of our salvation.
You can do "good works" without Jesus but you can never get to heaven of that alone.
The grace of God must always be our focus, not our self-efforts or perceived goodness.
Simply put, false prophets or teachers will always place works above the grace of God.
The true message we are called to preach is one of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the gospel that saves, transforms, and sets people free. We must proclaim it boldly and clearly. People need to understand that it is not by works but by grace that we are saved and perfected forever in Jesus.
Amen!!
