September 15, 2004, Vol.4,
No.18.
Two new articles every two weeks.
Bible Question? E-mail
us.
THIS ISSUE: "Rejoice
in the Lord (Part 4)" (see
below)
and "Part 3"
"Rejoice
in the Lord"
Devotional Study of Philippians
- part 4
The Mind of Christ
by Keith Sharp
"You deserve it." "Do something for yourself."
So the TV commercials advise. The "Baby Boomers" are
sometimes called the "Me" generation, a selfish generation
interested primarily in pleasing themselves.
I have consistently found that people who are constantly miserable
are self-centered people. They only talk about themselves, which
reveals they only think about themselves. A few years ago an
article by a secular, unbelieving journalist in U.S. News
and World Report correctly analyzed America as a selfish
nation with a very high rate of suicides and mental disorders.
Paul admonished the Christians in Philippi, "Let this
mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." (Philippians
2:5) We are to think the way Jesus did and have the same attitudes
He had. In this lesson we will find that the mind of Christ
is the mind of humility. And this is the key to having peace
and joy even when we're unpopular and despised. How can we have
peace and joy regardless of what others think of us?
Christ, Our Supreme Example
No other person as lofty in nature as Christ ever walked as
a man upon this earth. Prior to dwelling upon earth, Jesus was
existing "in the form of God" and "did not consider
it robbery to be equal with God." (Philippians 2:6)
Yet when He walked upon earth none was ever more severely
denounced. The Jews called Jesus "Beelzebub," primarily
meaning "lord of filth, " a name they used for Satan.
(Matthew 10:25) The Son of God was called the devil!
In the face of this slander, Jesus demonstrated the mind of
humility. This was not an "inferiority complex." Jesus
knew Who He was and what His nature was (John 13:3). But He did
not selfishly cling to the privileges and powers of godhood.
Rather, He "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form
of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men." (Philippians
2:6) The phrase "made Himself of no reputation" is
translated "emptied Himself" in the New American
Standard and "made himself nothing" by the New
International Version. Rather than holding on to the form
of and equality with God, He took the "form of a bondservant"
and "the likeness of men."
But His humility went even further. "And being found
in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient
to death-- even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:8) To
procure the salvation of lost sinners and obey His Father, He
willingly died. In fact, He willingly went to the cross, the
most shameful death of all. He Who was God in human flesh accepted
the most humiliating death He could experience.
This is the ultimate, living example of humility. To willingly
obey God regardless of the cost and to serve others no matter
how demeaning the service with no regard for self is real humility.
It is the mind of Christ. It is the key to joy and peace when
even our friends and brethren slander or ignore us.
Service to Others
We express the mind of humility in the same way Christ Jesus
did. When we promote peace and unity among our brothers and sisters
in Christ, looking out for the good of others, not our own selfish
interests, we are demonstrating the mind of Christ, the mind
of humility (Philippians 2:1-4). We must be as Paul, to whom
the prospect of a violent death as the result of seeking to instill
faith in others brought joy (Philippians 2:17-18). We should
imitate Timothy, who sincerely was interested in the welfare
of his brothers and sisters (Philippians 2:19-24). We should
follow Epaproditus, who gladly served Paul though he was so sick
he almost died and was sorrowful only at the heartache his suffering
would cause for his brothers and sisters in Christ (Philippians
2:25-30).
Obedience to God
But we as Christ Jesus also show our humility by willing obedience
to the Father (Philippians 2:12-13). We must do this without
complaining and arguing (Philippians 2:14). Both of these sins
of the tongue are the result of selfishness rather than humility.
Complaining demonstrates a lack of gratitude toward God, and
arguing shows a lack of love for others. By humble obedience
we become "lights in the world," showing Christ to
others in word and life (Philippians 2:15-16).
Exaltation
Because Jesus so humbled Himself:
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him
the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth,
and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians
2:9-11)
If we will likewise humble ourselves to obey and serve, God
will exalt us with His Son.
Conclusion
The most joyful people in the world are those who have the
mind of Christ, the mind of humility. They put obedience to Christ
above all else, service to others second, and themselves last
(Jesus, Others, You = JOY). They
do not have time to worry about or feel sorry for themselves,
for their minds are too occupied with obedience to God and service
to others. Do we have the mind of Christ?
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