Desiring to Be Like
Jesus
Philippians 2:4-7, “Each of you should look not only to your
own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your
attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but
made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”
We might paraphrase verses 4 and 5 as, “We should not only
seek things for ourselves but for others. We should seek to be like Jesus in
every way.” As I consider my own life, I recognize that I do not always act
with the same obedience that Jesus did, but even when I do obey, I do not do it
with the same attitude that Jesus had.
Two other verses immediately come to mind as I think about
fasting and the attitude and character of Jesus. Matthew 6:33 tells us to, “Seek
first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be
given to you as well.” A second verse is Romans 12:1, “Therefore,
I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodes as living
sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.”
In this
Daniel Fast, I am seeking to be like Jesus in every way. I desire to be like
Him more than I desire earthly food. By fasting, I am demonstrating that desire
by offering my body as a living sacrifice, a spiritual act of worship.
As you
join the rest of the Oakland Church body in the Daniel Fast (to whatever degree
you are called), may the Holy Spirit reveal any area where we have been
disobedient to God’s voice. Let us further ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where
we are lacking in the character and attitude of Jesus was well. May the
righteousness, peace, and joy of God’s Holy Spirit be ours in abundance as we
seek to grow into the servant nature of Jesus.
…Randy
Bain
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