Xanthe Hancox
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.
Power can be dangerous.
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, as they old adage goes.
History has shown that those who pursue power can do tremendous harm, and you only have to turn on the TV to see examples of this in real-time. Power and its pursuit have corrupted leaders in all spheres of life, causing them to seek selfish gain at the expense of others.
God holds the ultimate power to do anything in this world and beyond. If God wanted to bring destruction on a rebellious world, he could do it in an instant. But the Lord Almighty is also the God of compassion and love. He chose instead to offer redemption and reconciliation to the world. Jesus, the Son of God, chose to humble himself and take on mortal, human flesh.
Jesus came into this world, and he could have quickly claimed rightful kingship over all. But instead he chose the status of a servant, submitting to the suffering of persecution and death on a cross so that people could live once again in the full love of God.
Rather than curry favour with rulers and people on influence, Jesus sought out people who were poor, disadvantaged, outcast, and otherwise forgotten.
Jesus Christ defined ultimate power.
By his life, death, and resurrection, he provided a model of humility and service that true power displays.
Prayer: Lord Almighty, all power belongs to you. All glory and honour are yours. Yet you humbled yourself for our sake, and for that we are most grateful. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Xanthe Hancox
Dieselfde gesindheid moet in julle wees wat daar ook in Christus Jesus was: Hy wat in die gestalte van God was, het sy bestaan op Godgelyke wyse nie beskou as iets waaraan Hy Hom moes vasklem nie, maar Hy het Homself verneder deur die gestalte van 'n slaaf aan te neem en aan mense gelyk te word. Filippense 2:5-7
Krag en mag kan gevaarlik wees.
Soos die ou Engelse gesegde lui: "Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely."
Die geskiedenis bewys dat diegene wat mag najaag geweldige skade kan doen. 'n Mens hoef net die TV aan te skakel om voorbeelde hiervan te sien. Mag, en die najaag daarvan, het baie leiers op alle vlakke van die samelewing gekorrupteer, wat veroorsaak dat hulle ten koste van ander, eiegewin soek.
God besit die finale mag en krag om enigiets in hierdie wêreld en tot in ewigheid te doen. As God 'n opstandige wêreld wil vernietig, kan Hy dit in 'n oogwink doen. Maar die almagtige God is ook 'n sagmoedige God van liefde. Hy verkies om eerder verlossing en versoening aan die wêreld te bied. Jesus, die Seun van God, het gekies om eerder Homself te verneder deur aan mense gelyk te word.
Jesus het na hierdie wêreld gekom en Hy kon baie vinnig sy regmatige koningskap opgeëis het. In plaas daarvan het Hy egter gekies om die gestalte van 'n slaaf aan te neem en Homself aan lyding, vervolging en die dood aan 'n kruis onderwerp sodat mense weer in die volle liefde van God kan leef.
Eerder as om guns te soek by heersers en invloedryke mense, het Jesus met die armes, minderbevoorregtes, uitgeworpenes en andersins vergete mense gemeng.
Jesus Christus is volkome mag en krag.
Deur sy lewe, dood en opstanding, is Hy vir ons 'n voorbeeld van nederigheid en diens wat ware mag en krag weerspieël.
Gebed: Almagtige Here, alle krag en mag behoort aan U. Alle eer en verheerliking kom U toe. Tog het U uself ter wille van ons verneder, en daarvoor is ons diep dankbaar. Dankie Here Jesus. Amen