In this week of "Conversation Peace" Bible study we looked at the "high gates" (battle, control, Assumption, haste, entitlement) we erect in our lives that basically shut down communication with others. Each day also offered a key or a way to open/tear down that high gate.
On Day 5, the key to unlocking the high gate of entitlement was self-sacrifice. The whole week has been eye and heart-opening but the message of Day 5, is a must share...
"We live in a culture that focuses on personal rights-civil rights, women's rights, children's rights, gay rights, student rights, labor rights, prisoner's rights- the list goes on and on. The focus on rights is based on the conviction that all people are equal. From this conviction comes the notion that all people are therefore owed an equal entitlement.
While the Bible certainly upholds the equal worth and dignity of people, and while I believe this truth must, by necessity, be upheld by law, the current focus on rights has - for many of us - introduced a dangerous distortion into our thinking. Instead of focusing on what we can give, we are consumed with concern about what we are entitled to receive. I tremble as I write, for I know how deeply this attitude of entitlement is ingrained in our psyche. To challenge it is akin to questioning whether the sky is blue. The Bible teaches an attitude of entitlement is the linchpin of pride. It tells us to put aside our rights, become servants, and willingly sacrifice self."
Christ's example of servanthood (Philippians 2:5-8*):
-Christ is in very nature, God.
-Christ the Son is queal to God the Father.
-Christ willingly let go of the rights to which He was entitled.
-Christ 'made himself nothing' to be made in human likeness.
-Christ sacrificed Himself.
...In order to understand the biblical concept of servanthood, we must be clear on one critical point. When Christ set aside His rights, He became a servant of God the Father, not a servant of man (see Isa. 42:1. 52:19). He served people, but His servanthood - His self-sacrificial obedience - was to God (see Matt. 12:18-20). Read Philippians 2:7-8 again. They're important.
Also, servanthood is voluntary. Christ chose to submit Himself to the Father. The Father didn't force Him to submit. Paul described his relationship to God as bondservant or one who gives himself up to the will of another voluntarily. The term does not carry any overtones of obligation or bondage. Christ sets us free from bondage to sin so that we are free to "bond" ourselves to Him....
Thus being a servant of God means setting aside my rights to do everything that God wants - even if it means hardship, suffering, and self-sacrifice.
In every situation, we must seek the wisdom and guidance of his Spirit. In all relationships we are to follow Christ's example of servanthood, which means:
-I do not claim what I am entitled to claim; I am willing to 'lay down my life' in obedience to God. (John 10:17-18)
1I do not conclude what I feel entitled to conclude; I wait to hear the opinion of God (John 12:47-49)
- I do not say what I feel entitled to say; I only say what God tells me to say (John 12:49)
- I do not do what I feel entitled to do; I only do what God tells me to do (John 14:31).
- I do not put up a high gate of entitlement; I open my door with self-sacrifice (Phil. 2:6-7)"
So, to keep the above in context... One of the barriers or high gate) we erect in our communication/speech/relationships is that of entitlement. The key to unlocking this gate so that we can improve our communication/speech/relationships is self-sacrifice. Putting my rights aside to serve others takes humility to surrender my will to Christ who is my example. Oh my...this is not the easy way. Taking the high road can only be traveled with the help and enablement of the Holy Spirit. Amen?
*Philippians 2:5-8
"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!"
