Humbleness

Philippians 2:1-11 ESV
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This section of scripture is incredible as it puts forth many of the benefits of having humility around one another. In the first two verses points out that many of the things we desire as we grow in Christ are complete when we are in unity. Paul actually uses the term “complete my joy,” but I doubt this was a selfish desire, but more of a desire to see the health of the church solidified by unity.

How do we attain unity? Through humility: do nothing out of rivalry or pride but always see others as more important than yourself. That includes those of you who just HAVE TO make your opinion known – it is good to be opinionated, it shows that you are paying attention and that you have some passion, but if your opinion is not PROFITABLE to others or the situation, it is not good. Paul continues by saying that you need to watch the backs of others, not just your own. The most practical way all of us can do this is either refuse to listen to rumors or gossip, or if it is too late – squash the gossip trail with you. Okay, I use the word “squash” because of my hate (yes, hate) of such things, but rumors and gossip can be stopped gently.

Paul finally says to just be like Christ. To have His attitude. He was God, but made Himself a servant. Funny isn’t it? Here’s God: who made Himself the ultimate servant in Jesus Christ, and here’s us: deserving of death, given the ultimate pardon and still we desire to be top dog. And it’s that desire that will destroy unity and ultimately destroy our blessings in Christ: we will be just too busy “promoting” ourselves instead of just resting in Christ.