More Like Jesus, Less Like Me

Philippians 2:3-5

“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 others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Imagine a world where everyone would ask themselves, "How can I be more like Jesus and less like myself today?" Instead of focusing on what we could gain, we would be driven by what we could give. But this is a counter-cultural idea; we live in a world that encourages self-promotion, where social media celebrates personal achievement, and success is often measured by how much we stand out. Paul’s words in Philippians challenge us to let go of the "me-first" mindset and urges us to embrace humility, compassion, and servanthood—basically the hallmarks of the life Jesus led.

Today, let’s look at what it means to live like Jesus, and why being “less like me” frees us to love more deeply, forgive more easily, and serve more sincerely.

1. Choosing Humility Over Ambition

Paul starts with a powerful statement: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.” How often do we do things with hidden motives, just wanting some recognition or praise? The world teaches us that success is about standing out and being noticed. But Paul says that real greatness isn’t found in self-promotion—it’s found in humility.

Think about it Jesus had every right to be exalted, and yet He chose the role of a servant. Humility doesn’t mean belittling our-selves; it just means focusing less on our-self. It means recognizing that our worth is not found in applause or approval, but in the love and grace of God. When we begin to let go of the need to be admired, we begin to find the freedom to become more like Jesus.

Think about planting seeds. Seeds start small and hidden, buried in the soil. Over time, with care, they grow into something beautiful, visible to everyone. Jesus’ life was like that. He planted seeds of kindness and humility everywhere He went, often unnoticed. When we seek humility over ambition, we plant seeds that God can grow in His own time.

We need to begin looking for areas in our lives where we can practice humility. It might mean letting someone else take the credit or maybe helping someone without expecting anything in return. When we choose humility over ambition, we’re stepping into a life that reflects Jesus.

2. To be more like Jesus we need to Practice Compassion Over Criticism

Paul goes on to say, “Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Imagine how often Jesus encountered people who the world deemed “less valuable.” Tax collectors, lepers, sinners—these were people most folks ignored. But Jesus saw value in every person, and extended compassion instead of criticism.

In our world today, we are quick to judge and slow to understand. We judge other people's actions without knowing their stories. But compassion means looking beyond the surface, it means understanding that each person carries unseen burdens. When we choose to value others above ourselves, we are choosing to see people the way Jesus does.

I heard a story about a high school where one teacher had each student share something about their lives that no one else knew. One by one, the students shared their struggles, fears, and pain. The teacher said that, by the end of the class, the students were more compassionate, understanding, and united than ever before. When we take time to see beyond people’s actions, we learn to value them in ways that can transform relationships.

We must challenge ourselves to respond with compassion instead of criticism. Whether it’s with family, friends, or strangers, let’s choose grace over judgment, giving others the same understanding that Jesus extends to us.

3. We need to begin Embracing Servanthood Over Self-Focus

Finally, Paul tells us to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” The mindset of Christ was marked by servanthood. Jesus washed feet, He healed the sick, and He gave His life for us. To follow Jesus means to put aside self-focus and take up the role of a servant, not out of duty, but out of love.

Being a servant doesn’t sound that great and glamorous, but servanthood is where we find true purpose. When we give of ourselves, that’s when we reflect the heart of Jesus. That’s when we realize we don’t need to compete for attention because our joy is found in helping others experience the love of God.

Years ago, a young man wanted to become a pastor. But his first role in the church was to clean the sanctuary after services. He thought this task was beneath him until he began to see it as an act of worship, and as a way to serve others. Over time, he realized that even small acts of service, is what brings us closer to the heart of Jesus. Serving isn’t about what we do, it’s about who we become— as we become more like Jesus.