Philippians 2:5-8 (NRSV)
Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.
Rev. Wau knew the consequences of his very public faith and witness, but he had courageously chosen to speak about it to the people of Sumatra. He knew that every day he walked fearlessly with Christ was a day more people would come to know Christ and grow in their faith; he also knew that it was a day closer to the escalating danger. His last Lord’s Day was truly the best one for him, as it was the day that he entered for eternity into the Lord’s presence. (Foxe: Voice of the Martyrs: AD 33-Today, Kindle Location: 4,098)
Now in order for someone to be filled, there must also be an emptying. To be full of faith, there has to be dying to the doubt-filled thoughts and approach to life. In many ways, to live in doubt is about making common of that which is holy. Where doubt makes the holy things of God—of his kingdom, prayer, healing, salvation, into sin-formed common things by being consumed with our own thoughts, struggles, and issues. To be full of the Holy Spirit, there has to be a daily dying to ourselves—of our concerns, our desires, our preferences, and our self-preservation. We so often become full of ourselves—where it is all about us—what we want, what we care about, what we desire, even what we struggle with.
Prayer: Lord, may we be emptied of our doubt-filled and self-filled ways of living. We ask that we will be full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Let’s worship with the song More Like Jesus by Kristian Stanfill. (Click Here)
-GK
