The heading for this section in the NIV says, "Imitating Christ's Humility". While humility is certainly in there, it is just a part of who Jesus was and what Paul is trying to say.
Perhaps a better heading would be "Having Christ's Mindset". Paul is not just suggesting that we could all use a bit more humility. This is not some well-meaning advice that we should evaluate and see if it applies to us or not. Paul's words are not a metaphysical buffet where we can pick and choose what appeals to us. ("I suppose I'll have some humility. I already help others; don't need more of that.") This is life-changing stuff. Paul is calling us to a completely different and all-consuming lifestyle.
Why did Jesus take the form he did? Why was he born into a poor family? Why did he live in a town that hosted a Roman garrison? Why did he work with his hands? Jesus could have been born into a rich, influential Jewish family living in Jerusalem. He was not.
Paul does not call this a choice. He calls it a mindset. What does this mean? It wasn't that God prefers Carpentry to the other crafts or thinks being poor is a more pious way of life. The form that God took in this world was a mindset, a way of life that we should not simply imitate but that we should embrace body and soul. The way Jesus lived is how every Christian should live.
The truth Paul is encouraging us to embrace relates to our purpose. This purpose is about relationships to others and our relationship to God.
Why did Jesus come to this plane of existence? Two reasons
- to save the world and
- to bring God glory.
Why are you and I here? Two reasons
- to spread the good news of salvation to everyone we come in contact with and
- to bring God glory.
That is the mindset we need to embrace.
Why then does Paul talk about humility and thinking about others as more important than ourselves? Because pride is the enemy of our purpose. Pride ultimately leads us to believe that we do not need God. Just like Adam and Eve, we want to "be like God, knowing good and evil". Pride separates us from God.
Pride also separates us from each other. I may compare myself to the people around me and feel that I am better than them. When I do, I feel less willing to help them. "You should take care of yourself. I did it. So can you." That is not the humble mindset that God wants us to have.
If we are to have the mindset of God, it starts with letting go of everything the world has taught us and embracing Jesus mindset. Humility is a required part of this. Becoming a servant is a required part of this. They are the means to the end; the way we fulfill our purpose.
The central part of a Christ mindset is giving in to God's plan for your life. Fully. Completely. Becoming obedient unto death. Jesus eschewed riches, fame, and fortune so that he could focus completely on his mission and so that we would focus completely on his gospel. He had to be poor so that we could clearly see how rich we are in Christ. He had to put others first so they could see the extent of God's love. We should do likewise.
This way of life is not just a good idea or a suggestion. Living with the mind of Christ is the only way. May each of us be like Jesus -- give up our life in this world to live the humble, self-abasing, and serving life that leads others to Christ and brings glory to God.
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