With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Ephesians 4:2 (KJV).

REFLECT:
The Supercharged weapons to combat unwarranted power! In a world where it is so easy to obtain power, but very difficult to keep this power under control is something we should be concerned about.

Just look around us, there are a hundred and one things we may use to empower ourselves and these may border from physical things such as wealth, properties, social status, and career to mental and emotional empowerment such as pride, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, etc. All these are ways we empower ourselves and a lot of the time we may not think twice to whisk out one of these trump cards whenever the occasion arises.

To be fair, most of us may not even realize that we are caught up in such a terrible web and may ignorantly wield such power unknown to us. Frankly speaking, these are all negative and toxic ways to relate with ourselves as well as the rest of society, and we wonder why society is cascading down so fast.

The question is, how do we overcome such negative patterns of behavior? The answer is to yield ourselves to be taught and instructed by the Spirit of Grace, the Holy Spirit of the Living God. It is only by the Power of the Holy Spirit that we can be truly changed as we allow Him to work in us through the Word of God.

More precisely, our Bible verse for today admonishes, instructing us to adopt certain habits as strong and effective weapons to use to combat the many unwarranted power tools discussed earlier, these habits are as follows: humility, gentleness, patience, and love. These three yields a far greater reward than we can ever imagine. The reason is that they are part of the fruits of the Spirit that can be developed by having an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Furthermore, we must constantly make it a point to keep our eyes on Jesus and learn from Him. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).

How did Jesus manifest His behavior? How did He effectively demonstrate humility, gentleness, patience, and love, throughout His ministry on earth? Philippines 2:5-8, perfectly captures Jesus’s behavior, portraying His humility and submission to God the Father – “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”(KJV).

Finally, therefore, this week, as we walk with Jesus, remembering His passion, death, and resurrection, let us reflect on His behavior and lifestyle. The reason(s) why He went to the cross for us, and His victorious resurrection from the dead.

When we start walking closely in agreement with the Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, He will enable us with His Divine Grace and Power to be more like our Savior Jesus. As we become more like Jesus, every form of toxic behavior that may have held us bound and enslaved us will be shaken off our lives. Endowed With His Divine Humility!

Ebimobo W. Obasi

PLEASE PRAY ALONG:

A Prayer To Be More Like Jesus

FATHER GOD, Thank You for Jesus. Your Word inspires me to become more like Jesus. Please help me to have the same mind that Jesus had. Teach me to be humble, gentle, and patient. Develop me in Your love and teach me how to offer grace to those around me out of love. In JESUS MIGHTY NAME AMEN.