In Philippians 2:5–11, the Apostle Paul commands believers to embrace something that is certainly antithetical to our culture today. He tells us to have the mind or the mindset of Jesus Christ. If you read that passage, I believe you would see that this mindset of Christ is expressed in three ways; humility, service, and obedience. The reason I say that this is antithetical to the world we live in is because many people, even Christians, are pursuing self-promotion, personal rights, and becoming well-known. Paul points us to the Son of God who laid aside His rights, veiled His glory, and humbled Himself by obedience to His Father which ultimately led him to a cruel death on a cross.
Let me be very clear about this passage of Scripture. It does not teach as some have believed that Jesus Christ emptied himself of deity. He did not cease to be what he has eternally been. He did for a time set aside his divine rights as God and become a servant. He did veil his glory becoming a man. Even as a man, he came to this world as a servant ultimately embracing the worst humiliation. The One who had every reason to demand worship instead took a basin and a towel and washed the feet of his disciples. He obeyed perfectly. He submitted fully to his Father. He did this for us.
The Apostle Paul commands us to have this same mind or same mindset as Jesus. Now this might confuse us for a moment. While Jesus took upon himself servanthood, you and I are born as servants. The highest privilege is to be servants of God. But by our nature before salvation, we are servants to sin, self, and Satan doing his will instead of the Lord’s will. Once, the disciples were arguing over who was going to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God. Jesus gave the answer. The one who is the greatest will be the servant of all.
The humility, obedience, and submission of Jesus to the will of his Father was exhibited in him becoming a servant. Our natural condition leads us to serve ourselves and forsake others. Therefore, to embrace the mind of Christ is to become a servant of the Lord. In his life, Jesus lived for the glory of God and the good of God’s people. He laid down his rights and ultimately his life to save many. To be like Christ is to be a servant of the Lord and to serve for the good of others.
Who are you living for? Are you living as a servant of the Lord? If so, who are you serving? How is that service evident in the way you live your life? I believe we live in one of the most entitled eras in American history. Many people believe lots of things are owed to them. While the rest of the world may think that way and live that way, we in the church are to think and live like Jesus. This is a tough task. Certainly, humility is not something we pray for very often. But ask yourself this question. Why could Jesus be so humble? It is because he loved his Father and he loved those he came to live and die for. Maybe the reason we find this so difficult to emulate is because we love ourselves far more than we love God and others.
Joe Tolin, Kingman Presbyterian Church
