The Mindset of Jesus
The Mindset of Jesus - Philippians 2:1-11
We might camp out in Philippians a while; I could use it! Yesterday, we walked through chapter 1, and Paul took us to a life worthily of the Gospel. To live is Christ, and to die is gain. With this mindset, he went on in v.27 to press into how we conduct our lives, to bring glory to God in our walk, standing firm, and living out the gospel. A challenge for us! Today, in chapter 2, Paul puts some skin on this; he brings the application to the knowledge, and give us some clear instructions.
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,” - Philippians 2:1 NIV
Therefore, remember what I have said in the past. When you read, therefore, in the Bible, ask yourself, “what’s it there for?” This transition was to connect what I said above, and Paul is bringing some explicit instruction, putting the application to knowledge. He is bringing us to unity, check this out.
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 1:29-30, 2:1-2 NIV
So much richness, and dept here that we could unpack for hours. Seriously. United in Christ, love, peace, joy, unity, oneness, and a mind of Christ. That all sounds amazing...but we can sometimes miss the previous few verses. This oneness, this love, peace, joy, and completeness includes suffering and struggle; it’s “granted” to us.
“For God has graciously given you the privilege not only to believe in Christ, but also to suffer for him.” - Philippians 1:29 TPT
The Passion Translation here really communicates this well. Suffering for Christ is a privilege that has been graciously given to us. Why I say we could sit here for hours is diving into the why and what comes from this suffering for us. I know this topic can be debated and has been debated by people much smarter than me. But, let me try and simplify it, or at least share how this makes sense in my mind. This suffering and struggle are what lead us to humility. The best way to strip us of our pride, ego, and worldly ways is to take us to a place of vulnerability and weakness. For us to be broken to the point of knowing we are nothing without Christ. Humility is modeling the very nature of Christ Jesus, God in the flesh.
True humility is not thinking less of your self, it’s thinking of your self, less. - CS Lewis
Jesus did not think less of himself, He was God. However, Jesus was selfless and was others-focused. This is our calling, this is our way, this is our path!
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” - Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Can you imagine the world if this happened? Ok, let’s reduce that. Can you imagine your church, can you imagine your neighborhood, can you imagine your family, your marriage, your workplace if this happened? Choose one and camp out on it. Marriage for me, can I imagine what my marriage would look like if I entirely focused on these two verses and lived them out with Robin, every day. I think I am a pretty good husband, I know I work hard, and do pretty good, but can I say I do nothing out of selfish ambition? Nope. Do I always value Robin above myself? Nope. This is imitating Christ’s humility, a space, and an area we must bring significant attention to our lives.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” - Philippians 2:5 NIV
There it is, one of my favorite words and areas of focus; mindset. In your relationships with one another... Isn’t that just about everything? Relationships with one another. That is everything we do every day. We should walk into our day with the same mindset as Jesus.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:5-11 NIV
The mindset of Jesus, a humble servant. Wrapping up, and sorry this was so long today, but as I sit here in my chair, just in awe of Jesus, I a faced with the reality of the fragileness of life. COVID-19 has knocked the world off its axis, and lives are displaced and in disarray. So many are searching for security, hope, and honestly help. As Christ-followers, nothing over the last few weeks, or months has changed, our hope and security were never in the world, or of things of this world. We may “felt” more secure, but our hope and strength are in Christ alone. Now is the time for the mindset of Jesus to guide us, to lead us to be the light of the world in these uncertain situations. Now is the time to serve others as Jesus would, to be united in the Spirit, and glorify God with our lives.
“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledges that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:10-11 NIV
May our lives today God glorify you, and that we have a mindset of Jesus today. Father may our actions, and lives guide people to you, and may we see the population of heaven grow today.