Genuine Love, pt. 7

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:3-8 (ESV)

Before this Genuine Love series draws to an end with one final post on application, I want to cover what I call "The Mottos" of genuine love.

1. Genuine love in our spirit makes our motives.
Do nothing from rivalry or conceit. We should never be motivated to act based on rivalry or conceit but rather out of love, genuine love. No matter the action, we should do it with a heart of genuine love. Also, we must make sure to never disguise actions as though we are doing them to serve one another but are really being motivated out of rivalry or conceit. Those are selfish motivations.

2. Genuine love in our spirit drives our actions.
In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Only out of humility can we act out genuine love. What are these actions? They are any action rooted in counting others more significant than yourself and rooted in looking not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others -- laying down your life.

3. Genuine love in our spirit is based on the Standard.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. We must have this mindset of genuine love because Christ, though He was equal with God, did not hold on to the position He had (being with God) and displayed perfect humility and genuine love by lowering Himself (taking the form of a servant) and dying on a cross for our sins. Think on that.

Christ was with God, yet he did not view that a thing to keep. Why? Obedience to the Father that Christ would redeem us with His death. Think of a high king stepping down from his throne in order to be a peasant. Why would/should he? How much more awesome when it's a High King becoming our sin. WHY!? Christ had equality with God, yet laid down his life for us. Therefore, whatever we have equality with (money, free time, etc.) we should be willing to lay down for each other, considering ourselves least of all.