USING YOUR CROWN FOR VIRTUE

Posted on January 23, 2018 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

 

I’ve been reading some historical accounts lately, and over and again it’s clear that the son of a king faces challenges that other men don’t have to confront. Everything other men have to work for, the son of the ruler just inherits, simply because of his birthright. His cachet can make him think more highly of himself than he ought. His position alone can cause him to think other men should serve him, rather than he serve others. Entitlement can, and does, stunt the growth of a man. (It can do that to women, too!)
He can be tempted to use his authority to hurt those he personally dislikes and promote those he favors. Rather than finding purpose and fulfillment in his privilege, he can soil it to his own peril and take others down with him. He can ruin a kingdom, or raise it to the next level.
When your Father is the King of the universe and He has given you power and authority that even the wind and the waves obey you, yet you remain humble enough to choose to live with and serve your subjects, you have withstood the greatest temptation of pride any son of a King could. Our King, Jesus, possessed this virtue.
Sisters, some of us have been given authority over others. As daughters of the Most High King, let us seek to acquire virtue and empowerment to lead as He would lead. Let Jesus be our example of how to serve those in our charge…with selflessness, humility, patience, and grace.
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 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! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:1-11
What a Savior…What a King!
Learning still,
Carol
Carol Tirondola is on staff with the Partner Care team at America’s Keswick. She and her best friend, Mario, have been married for 35 years. They have 2 sons and 2 daughters-in-law that they call their “BFFs.” They also have 7 precious gems called grandchildren. Her family has savored many memories of the heart made at Keswick over the last 35+ years and she is thrilled to serve on staff!