Daily Devotional

Philippians 2:3-5 is my least favorite scripture. Why? Because of the first 2 words, DO NOTHING. Every time I read  this passage, I am convicted of some specific recent time in which I have ignored this command. 

I don’t mind reading passages about salvation, or prayer, or evangelism. But I can’t get past DO NOTHING without realizing that I can’t make excuses. I can’t  take credit for somebody else’s work. I can’t volunteer or help out around church with even a hint of desire to be noticed for my spirituality or wisdom.

I have to give up the desire to win every argument, and I definitely have to stop looking at traffic as if it’s a race where I can’t let someone pass me or  get my parking spot.

Paul doesn't give me even the smallest amount of wiggle room. Not only can I DO NOTHING for my own interest by steering discussions back to myself, holding  grudges, or demanding my rights; but I have to actively listen to other people, care about what they’re interested in, and consider how my choice of finances and time affect someone other than me and my family. 

I’m telling you, these are awful verses. If I had been Thomas Jefferson, I wouldn't have cut the verses out of the Bible that dealt with Jesus's divinity. I  would've cut these verses out so that I wouldn't always have to be really humble like Jesus.

Of course, instead of picking up my scissors, I could pick up what Jesus said in John 15:5, “apart from Me you can DO NOTHING.” I could DO NOTHING but abide  in Him and let His Spirit make me truly humble.

New International Version (NIV)
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