'' Philippians 2 : 5 - 11 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross !
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ''
As we meditate on these Scriptures, let us learn this hour, how important it is to uphold ''reverence'' for God and His commands, along with love.
We shall also meditate on a small conversation between Peter and Jesus, from the gospel of Luke, to learn how lack of reverence only makes our words empty and void.
Attitude of Jesus, described in this Scripture of Philippians throws a tremendous reflection on the reverence He had for the Father.
'' Jesus being in very nature God, has offered prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death .. ''
Jesus is the Son of God. Yet, He humbled Himself and became obedient even to death on a cross, to become a sin offering.
He wore the attitude of what He was sent to do, but did not grasp His equality with God, being God's own Son.
If we read all the gospels and observe the communications of Jesus, we see that He never spoke informally of God, just because God the Father and He dwell together, and though it was with Jesus that Father has created everything.
Attitude of Jesus, described in this Scripture of Philippians throws a tremendous reflection on the reverence He had for the Father.
'' Jesus being in very nature God, has offered prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death .. ''
Jesus is the Son of God. Yet, He humbled Himself and became obedient even to death on a cross, to become a sin offering.
He wore the attitude of what He was sent to do, but did not grasp His equality with God, being God's own Son.
If we read all the gospels and observe the communications of Jesus, we see that He never spoke informally of God, just because God the Father and He dwell together, and though it was with Jesus that Father has created everything.
He was living in glory with the Father before He was revealed in flesh.
Despite His superior position and relationship with God the Father, He Humbled himself as a servant, and learned obedience through all the sufferings He was taken through.
Dear people, this attitude of Jesus basically is coming from the ''reverence'' He had for the Father.
Jesus always held the Father in highest position, in great respect and adoration.
Despite His superior position and relationship with God the Father, He Humbled himself as a servant, and learned obedience through all the sufferings He was taken through.
Dear people, this attitude of Jesus basically is coming from the ''reverence'' He had for the Father.
Jesus always held the Father in highest position, in great respect and adoration.
He never took lenience of who He is for the Father, and then begin to get informal with the Father.
We don't read anywhere Jesus praying casually asking God to remove few situations and keep only certain situations which He is comfortable with. We don't read Him giving suggestions to God or asking to make amendments to what Father has willed for Him just because it was so much for Him take.
He never neglected His duties, taking advantage of His Son ship.
The reverence He had for the Father made Him to humbly take all that was allowed in His earthly life. He held the Father Supreme in Wisdom, in Power and in Authority.
And since He was obedient, the pain and the grief He underwent, humbled Him more and more, and He used to cry out with loud cries in prayers and petitions, because He was tasting every ounce of what human pain and agony is like.
This was to accomplish God's purposes:
'' Hebrews 2 : 14 - 18 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil -- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service of God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. ''
He never neglected His duties, taking advantage of His Son ship.
The reverence He had for the Father made Him to humbly take all that was allowed in His earthly life. He held the Father Supreme in Wisdom, in Power and in Authority.
And since He was obedient, the pain and the grief He underwent, humbled Him more and more, and He used to cry out with loud cries in prayers and petitions, because He was tasting every ounce of what human pain and agony is like.
This was to accomplish God's purposes:
'' Hebrews 2 : 14 - 18 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death - that is, the devil -- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service of God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. ''
Jesus honored God's purposes and His will, above Himself.
And because of His reverence, His prayers were heard by the Father:
'' Hebrews 5 : 7 - 10 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and , once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. ''
Dear people of God, as we are meditating on this, let us introspect ourselves...
Many of us carry an informal approach in our attitude towards God, don't we ?
We take God's name in vain - when I say in vain, as if God were our friend, we take God's love for granted and proclaim His goodness and mercies in a most informal manner many times, while speaking with others, exhibiting inclination towards self exaltation as if we were the most loved of God.
Don't we do this ?
And we don't understand why God is not answering many of our prayers, though we consider ourselves favourites of God...
Dear people, its call for ''reverence'' in our lives.
Jesus was heard because of his reverent submission to God. God has answered all the prayers of Jesus, not one was ignored. Isn't it ?
When God wants us to be His sons, then He surely wants to answer all our prayers like He did for Jesus. He wants to be with us like He was with Jesus.
But, this requires us to be like Jesus in all we do.
In order that God our Father should answer our prayers, we ought to develop the attitude that Jesus had, and we must show reverent submission for His will.
The attitude of Jesus was always in submission to the Higher Power above Him. He held God and His Name in utmost respect.
Though He knew He is the Son of the Creator and everything was made with Him, yet He revered the Father, holding His Name in utmost honor until the will of the Father was completely accomplished in the Son.
He used to offer prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears..
Jesus, having all power on His side, still cried out.
The attitude of Jesus was always in submission to the Higher Power above Him. He held God and His Name in utmost respect.
Though He knew He is the Son of the Creator and everything was made with Him, yet He revered the Father, holding His Name in utmost honor until the will of the Father was completely accomplished in the Son.
He used to offer prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears..
Jesus, having all power on His side, still cried out.
Loud cries and tears speak of the agony and grief in the heart of Jesus.
Though all power was His' He made Himself nothing, and in submission He used to cry out in the Father's presence, because He revered the Father as His Supreme Saving Power.
And due to this reverent submission, Father always heard His cries.
Though all power was His' He made Himself nothing, and in submission He used to cry out in the Father's presence, because He revered the Father as His Supreme Saving Power.
And due to this reverent submission, Father always heard His cries.
'' Philippians 2 : 5 - 8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -even death on a cross ! ''
who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -even death on a cross ! ''
Dear people, we need to wear similar attitude towards our Father.
Attitude that reflects reverence for the Most Holy and the Highest Power.
You should not permit a casual or informal tendency to creep into your attitude towards God - this must be maintained not only within your hearts, but also in all your communications with God, as well as, others.
Attitude that reflects reverence for the Most Holy and the Highest Power.
You should not permit a casual or informal tendency to creep into your attitude towards God - this must be maintained not only within your hearts, but also in all your communications with God, as well as, others.
You ought to be careful not to exalt yourselves because of your calling, or your ministries, or your past achievements of your faith, and get casual about the love of God and His Power.
'' Proverbs 30 : 2 - 4 I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to the heaven and come down ? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak ? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son ? Tell me if you know ! ''
He is All Powerful, All Mighty at whose thunder even the mountains quake and smoke ..
'' Proverbs 30 : 2 - 4 I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to the heaven and come down ? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak ? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son ? Tell me if you know ! ''
He is All Powerful, All Mighty at whose thunder even the mountains quake and smoke ..
He wraps up the waters in his cloak ..
and gathers wind in the hollow of his hands ..
can we even define his ''Name'' and take his ''Name'' on our lips.. ?
''Titus 3 : 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.''
If it is only by His mercy, then dear precious people, how much we ought to revere His name and the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and devote ourselves to doing His will ?
Let us read these Scriptures in Luke, and meditate on a small conversation between Jesus and Peter, to know how lack of reverence makes our speech meaningless:
'' Luke 22 : 31 ''Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.''
But he replied, ''Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.'' Jesus answered, ''I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.'' ''
''Titus 3 : 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.''
If it is only by His mercy, then dear precious people, how much we ought to revere His name and the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and devote ourselves to doing His will ?
Let us read these Scriptures in Luke, and meditate on a small conversation between Jesus and Peter, to know how lack of reverence makes our speech meaningless:
'' Luke 22 : 31 ''Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.''
But he replied, ''Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.'' Jesus answered, ''I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.'' ''
Jesus here, was giving a statement that Satan has asked to sift Peter as wheat. And that He had prayed for him, and thereby Jesus was instructing Peter that once he turned back he ought to strengthen his brothers.
However, Peter, instead of acknowledging the instruction and being thankful that the Lord had prayed for him, pours out empty words in exaggeration.
When Jesus was speaking on Peter's course of action when he returns, Peter speaks on going to prison or death for Jesus ( ?! )
However, Peter, instead of acknowledging the instruction and being thankful that the Lord had prayed for him, pours out empty words in exaggeration.
When Jesus was speaking on Peter's course of action when he returns, Peter speaks on going to prison or death for Jesus ( ?! )
Dear people, does this make any sense....
Peter perhaps thought his Master would pat him if he presents an expression of exaggeration about his devotion for Him.
Peter perhaps thought his Master would pat him if he presents an expression of exaggeration about his devotion for Him.
Or perhaps thought he would astonish Jesus, as well as the people around him, when they hear the level of sacrifice he is ready to give for the Lord.
In this process, our dear Peter did not even acknowledge the instruction being given to him.
People, that critical aspect that was missing in Peter here, is ''reverence.''
Due to this he could not receive the words of Jesus as he ought to receive.
Lack of reverence had actually made his expression void and meaningless - although he expressed love and sacrifice!
Dear people, don't many of us do this?
Don't we, like Peter, pour out lengthy, empty words in our prayers, instead of doing what we are asked to do ?
We keep the commands of God aside, but pour out exaggerations in prayers, thinking we are pleasing God with our excellent theological vocabulary?
As we have seen in the conversation between Peter and Jesus, these expressions will be only meaningless and void, if we don't show reverence.
As the Spirit of God is speaking to us this hour dear people, let us set our hearts and minds to diligently practise upholding reverence for the Lord and His commands.
Our Father will be pleased only by our acts of obedience, and will be pleased with the hearts that are filled with fear of Him, but not by lengthy, empty verbal expressions of sacrifice and love.
Let us therefore uphold highest regards for our Lord and His words of instruction, in our hearts and our lives ..
As the Spirit of God is speaking to us this hour dear people, let us set our hearts and minds to diligently practise upholding reverence for the Lord and His commands.
Our Father will be pleased only by our acts of obedience, and will be pleased with the hearts that are filled with fear of Him, but not by lengthy, empty verbal expressions of sacrifice and love.
Let us therefore uphold highest regards for our Lord and His words of instruction, in our hearts and our lives ..
And let our reverence for our Lord reflect in our speech, our attitudes and our behaviour.
Let's Pray..
Let's Pray..
Father, grant us the reverence Jesus had for you.
Forgive each one of us , for our ignorant behaviour and worthless words we might have uttered in Your presence, and grant us a new heart that we may uphold reverence for Your Name and walk humbly in Your presence submitting ourselves to doing Your will, until Your purposes are fully accomplished in us.
Forgive each one of us , for our ignorant behaviour and worthless words we might have uttered in Your presence, and grant us a new heart that we may uphold reverence for Your Name and walk humbly in Your presence submitting ourselves to doing Your will, until Your purposes are fully accomplished in us.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
God Bless You.
God Bless You.
