Philippians 2:5-11

To be sure, it is ours to humble ourselves and it is God’s to exalt. This was our Leader’s example when He walked this earth and it is to be our legacy as well. Jesus walked the Gospel pattern He proposed. Christ remains our supreme example of humility and selflessness. Peter tells us as well:

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV)

“Christians must be of Christ’s mind. We must bear a resemblance to his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. He was eminently humble, and this is what we are particularly to learn from him...Walk in the same spirit with the Lord Jesus, who humbled himself to sufferings and death for us.” Matthew Henry

In our verses for today Paul exhorts believers to maintain a true biblical assessment of their self before God stating that our attitudes are to be like Jesus’. The word translated “attitude” in verse five could also be translated “like-minded”. I am reminded of the word John penned:

6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)

John the Baptist had this down pat when he proclaimed to his disciples:

30 He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 (NIV)

“There is no true holiness without humility.” Thomas Fuller

Certainly, this notion of selflessness flies in the face of our modern day thoughts of elevating self which, sadly, many beliers in Christ often subscribe to. We live in an “all about me” world and we expect it to revolve around us and our nonsensical pettiness. Yet, selfish ambition could not be any further from the New Testament standard of holiness and spirituality. The less conscious we are of ourselves the more Christ-like we become. Humility is a virtue not a weakness. Indeed, it is inspiring to those in our spheres. It is the mark of true greatness particularly in the heart of a leader. It makes the great greater.

Jesus, Who made Himself nothing by becoming a man in clothing Himself with the rags of human nature, demonstrates for us pure humility. He came not only as God’s servant but to minister to men as One Who serves as well. It would stand to reason that He would come at the very least as a Prince, yet He came to earth quite the contrary. His entire life on this dusty planet was one of humiliation culminating with His dying the death of the cross – a cursed, shameful death as a malefactor or slave, full of pain. He not only suffered, He was voluntarily obedient. Jesus states in John:

17 “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” John 10:17-18 (NIV)

“Christ never spoke of His right to Himself, but always maintained an inner vigilance to submit His spirit continually to His Father. I also have the responsibility to keep my spirit in agreement with His Spirit. And when I do, Jesus gradually lifts me up to the level where He lived – a level of perfect submission to His Father’s will – where I pay no attention to anything else.” Oswald Chambers

Because Jesus humbled Himself, God exalted Him to the highest place – His exaltation made to consist in honor and power – the whole creation must be in subjection to Him.

“The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time.” Tim Keller