Philippians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5-11

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” - C.S Lewis

Point - Unity in the body of Christ is perhaps the greatest evidence that Jesus is king.

It is consistent with human nature to be inward focused. We are always thinking about what we want and how we can get it.

After all, we’re all trying to be the biggest, best, most successful version of ourselves right?

So it is interesting that Paul instructs us to do the exact opposite in this passage?

It’s easy to make excuses for being selfish. It’s easy to tell ourselves “I earned this or I deserve this.”

Yet, when we consider Jesus, the Son of God, who - if anyone deserves fame and fortune, it would be him; yet he humbles himself and takes on the form of a servant to obey God (thus fulfilling the requirements of the law) and to serve people, we should then become people of humility ourselves.

The way of Jesus is a call to come and die to yourself—in every way—and surrender it under His rule and reign.

How often do you intentionally practice humility?

What can I do today for the kingdom of God?

Vincent’s Word Studies Commentary says it this way: “Christ, being before his incarnation, in the form of God, did not regard his divine equality as a prize which was to be grasped at and retained at all hazards, but, on the contrary, laid aside the form of God, and took upon himself the nature of man. The emphasis in the passage is on Christ’s humiliation. Had he come into the world emphasizing his equality with God, the world would have been amazed, but not saved.”

Christ’s incarnation is the ultimate depiction of humility because He thought not of Himself but of us when He put on flesh. The purpose of Christ entering time, becoming human, and suffering to the point of dying on a cross was to serve us.

We model Christ by setting aside whatever status we claim to serve our neighbor.

May we be known for our selflessness, the way we give of ourselves for others. May we impact the lives of others with our service and generosity and, in doing so, live as Christ lived.