Written by: John Sernaque
Call to Worship
Philippians 2: 3
2:3 [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
In your organization are more of the elements of war than of peace. You need to cultivate courtesy and true Christian politeness. “In honor preferring one another.” “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” {2T 162.2}
Your combativeness is large, and you stand braced, prepared to rebut everything where you have a chance. You do not labor to see how near you can make your ideas and views harmonize with those of others, but you stand all ready to differ if there is a possible chance for you to do so. This injures your own soul, retards your spiritual advancement, and not only grieves and wounds those who would be your sincere friends, but sometimes disgusts them, so that your society is not agreeable and pleasant, but annoying. It is as natural as your breath for you to consider the views and opinions of others inferior to yours. You often greatly err here, for you have not all that wisdom and knowledge for which you give yourself credit. You often set your opinions up above men and women who have had many more years of experience than yourself, and who are far better qualified to direct and give words of wise judgment than yourself. But you have not seen these disagreeable besetments, and therefore have not realized the ill and bitter fruit they have produced. You have long indulged a spirit of contention, of war. Your peculiar turn of mind leads you to exult in opposites. {2T 163.1}
Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5: 9. We would be wise to heed these words from our Lord. A combative spirit is not the spirit of God, rather the spirit of Satan. Always wanting to be right, knowing more than everyone else, and always having the last word are contrary to Gods’ will. It was Satan that rebelled and wanted to be like the Most High, exalting himself above all else in heaven. Not only is this spirit unagreeable and unpleasant, but outright annoying, producing an ill and bitter fruit. The Bible says that those that are first shall be last and last shall be first. [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Philippians 2: 3.
Dear God,
We come into Your presence with meekness and humility. We are sorry that we have exalted ourselves to our own imaginary heights of self grandeur. We are sorry for our rebellious nature, which was imputed to us by Satan himself. We are sorry that we took our eyes off You and listened to the voice of the serpent who told us we can be as God. We repent of our sins and
pray for Your forgiveness. We pray that we may move forward with lowliness of mind and seek peace rather than war. Save us dear Lord, humble us, and create a clean heart in us, oh God. Renew a right spirit within us. We thank You and praise You, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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