An Empowered Life

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11 NASB

Once again, there is a key in this passage worth examining a big further. I have underlined a number of thoughts - all having to do with our Lord's way of thinking (attitude). He did not exalt Himself, even though He, of all people, had every right to do so. In the third (3rd) verse, the Spirit has urged us to do nothing out of selfishness or contentiousness, but to regard others as more important that ourselves. This way of thinking is an opportunity to begin to see how the Holy Spirit works in the Kingdom.

"For not from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert comes exaltation; But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another." Psalm 75:6-7  NASB

In 2 Corinthians 12:5b " . . . but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 

Our Lord, and His bond-servant, Paul, understood that boasting about our selves, our own accomplishments, our abilities, etc... is not the way of the Spirit, ever. Such bragging and placing of ones self in a prominent position - whatever that is (even if it is just in the eyes of another person), will not work the work of the Spirit. Only promotion by the Lord is worth anything. Such promotion only comes by a willing thought process that does not seek the limelight, but always chooses to exalt another person.

Our understanding of servant-hood in the church must find a transformation in order to truly flow in the Holy Spirit. It is not about any human being being elevated. It is about the Lord Jesus being exalted. The way that is done in our lives, is the key. First it must find a place in our time. When we begin to exalt Him and the Words He has spoken in our time for the day, then we become aware of who He truly is, and we begin to desire to lift others up, while we enjoy serving in the background.There is an awesome switch into an empowered life that awaits many of us.

Self elevation never, never, never works in the Kingdom of God. Only a life of serving others in a way that they may be seen and encouraged is worth every moment, and it is a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, for only in Him can it be real.