Creator, Father, King #300

In humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

ARE YOU AN EXPERT in anything? Perhaps you excel in music, singing, acting, writing, photography, math, science, cooking, or sports.

Regardless, you are an expert in at least one subject: loving yourself! Every human has a PhD in the subject of self-love. As sinful, self-centered creatures, it comes naturally to us.

But look at today’s Bible passage. Scripture calls for us to live differently. How can we do this? The apostle Paul provides the perfect paradigm in Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV):

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

What’s It Mean?

If anyone in history could consider his own rights, it was Jesus. He is the eternal, sinless Son of God, for goodness’ sake! Yet in an act of supreme humility, he temporarily set aside many of his divine privileges to become the substitutionary atonement for our sins.

This is the greatest example of self-sacrifice that the world will ever know.

Jesus had no selfish ambition or conceit. Every inclination of his heart was to serve those whom he created, who rebelled against him, who sent him to the Cross.

In other words . . . us.

God now calls you to follow Christ’s perfect example. By the Spirit’s power, cast aside prideful inclinations and vain goals. Prize humility. Elevate others in your life. Serve others first.

By doing so, you will honor the Lord!

Now What?

Consider Philippians 2:10-11 (ESV): you can “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” now for salvation or when it’s too late in eternal judgment. Don’t wait!

Did You Know?

When Paul says Jesus “emptied himself” (Philippians 2:7, ESV), he’s not saying Christ gave up his “fully God” status in any way. Paul is stressing Jesus’ humility in temporarily laying aside his divine rights (not attributes).