Philippians: A Life in ChristSample

Paul wants the Philippians to refocus their hearts on Jesus, the one who took on human nature and did what God the Father was calling him to do. Jesus could have remained aloof and distant from the brokenness and evil of this world but instead, he chose to step into it. This here is true humility.

“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.” (Philippians 2:3-7)

Remarkably the message of Philippians is that we are now “In Christ”. We’re clothed with the Holy Spirit, heirs of God himself. We’re worth so much that Jesus died on a cross in our place. The call, therefore, is that in the strength of that knowledge, we should have the same mindset as Jesus, take the nature of a servant and do what God is calling us to do.

The humility of Jesus is a model for us to follow in our relationships. We’re to put aside our self-importance, our self-advancement, our self-regard and in their place to put others' needs above our own. We’re here to serve and value one another in humility.

In what ways can you do that this week in your relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ?