The Ins and Outs of a Joyfull Life

In the opening of Philippians 2, the Apostle Paul presents Jesus Christ as our great example of humility, through which God accomplished so many glorious works culminating in the victory of our salvation. We read it, and we agree with it, but how do we go about practicing His example? How could any of us ever hope to be as humble and perfectly submitted to God like Jesus? How could any of us ever hope to measure up in character or accomplishment? It seems presumptuous to even try. But Paul is not asking us in his letter to “reach for the stars” in our desire to imitate Christ. Rather, he is showing us the divine pattern for how God’s power works IN us to accomplish His will—it happens not by imitation, but by incarnation. The Christian life is not a series of ups and downs, but a process of “ins and outs.” God works “In”, and we work “Out.” Christ works in you so the world can see Him through you.