Episode 2821 - Lesson 3 - Wednesday July 15 - Christlike Servanthood

Christlike ServanthoodRead 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. What does this passage teach about the correct view one must have about human leaders?In 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Paul hints that cliques result from a lack of spiritual maturity. However, before addressing this topic, he affirms, "We have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16, NKJV). This phrase likely refers to Christ's way of thinking and acting. In other words, the believer has "the mind of Christ" when he thinks and acts like Christ. Putting this mind into practice in all matters of life is not that easy, though, is it? In the Greco-Roman world, there was much competition among political figures, philosophers, thinkers, and religious leaders. The longing for cultural approval apparently led the church of Corinth to follow secular standards. This may be a danger for the church today, too.Read Philippians 2:5-8. How does this text help us understand the phrase "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:16)?Just as in Corinth, divisions were also taking place in the church of Philippi (Phil. 2:1-4), perhaps to a lesser degree. Philippians 2:1-8 teaches us that a Christlike servanthood requires dying to self and to selfish ambitions, and seeking instead to bless others above ourselves, as did Jesus.A Christlike servanthood is what Paul meant by the phrase "servants of Christ" (1 Cor. 4:1, NKJV). This phrase can convey the idea that they serve Christ as assistants or subordinates. It is clear that a correct view of human leaders is based on Christ's example of leadership. The servants are further portrayed as "stewards" (1 Cor. 4:1-2). A steward is a person who has been entrusted with administrating the property of somebody else. And whatever we have, it all belongs to Christ, anyway.Prayerfully dwell on the message of Philippians 2:5-8. How do we grasp what this tells us about God's self-denying love for us? Why, too, do we need to die to self in a way so that, in our own sphere, we can emulate this love?