Humble Unto Death

To me, one of the most interesting paragraphs in the New Testament is found in Philippians 2:5-11. Yesterday, I asked you to consider if you have the “mind of Christ”.  Today, in verses 6-8, we get a glimpse into exactly what the apostle Paul has in mind. I’ll include verse 5 as well: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”  The specific characteristic of the “mind of Christ” that Paul is referring to is divine humility.  Though Jesus is God, He did not consider that status or position to be something that required Him to act in a way that was above everyone else.  Sometimes we read of how rich or famous people like to be exalted in how they are viewed or treated by others.  Their status and position merit them the best seats or the “royal treatment”.  Really, it’s not only the rich and famous who often desire the “royal treatment”…it’s you and me as well.  But not Jesus.  Though His status and position did merit special, very special, treatment, that’s not how He lived or thought.  He came as a man, confining His eternal existence into human form, and not only that, but He willingly submitted to death on a cross.  He set aside His own interests for the interests of you and me. We needed Him on that cross so that we might have forgiveness of sin.  And He did it.  That’s amazing love on display.

But it’s not only display for us to look at like a work of art in a museum.  It is on display as an example of our humble mindset as well. This is an amazing thing to consider. Because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the follower of Jesus, we are to think and live with this “divine humility” governing our thoughts and actions.  Is there a way that God is calling you to humble yourself today…perhaps to ask for forgiveness…perhaps to admit a mistake…perhaps to give sacrificially…perhaps to share the gospel…We are not likely to be asked to die on a cross but each day we are asked to “die to ourselves” as we humbly yield control of our lives to the God we have chosen to serve.  And this does not go without notice by our God and by reward…tune in tomorrow for that!

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