Have the Attitude of Christ
‘Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges ; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Shine Brightly for Christ
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
Paul Commends Timothy
If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Paul Commends Epaphroditus
Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.’ Philippians 2:1-30(NLT)
Host: Welcome to Through the Word, leading you on a journey through the entire Bible, one chapter at a time. Today Kris Langham guides us through the New Testament book of Philippians. Now to Pastor Kris.
Philippians chapter 2. I have an odd question for you. What is a Christian all about? Not what is Christianity all about – what is a Christian about?
Well, Chapter 2 is about unity, about putting others first, and about serving like Jesus served. I guess the best way to say it – it’s not about you. It’s about others. Jesus said the mark of true Christians is love for one another. When to live is Christ, that life is lived for others. So Philippians 2 opens up with a call to unity. Verse 1:
“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 2:1-2)
Jesus loves us. That’s where it starts. The love Jesus shows you – share it. And notice that Paul’s call to unity is not a call to uniformity. He does not say dress the same, talk the same, or act the same. So lose the cookie cutter. Unity works from the inside out – “like minded” – “the same love” – “one in spirit” – and “of one mind” (2:2). Christianity works like a seed that you plant, not a mold that you fit. In many ways, it’s about how you think: mindset. What’s the mindset? Verse 3:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (2:3).
That little verse is a revolution. Man, if we could just live that out. Seriously. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition…” – that means don’t strive to get yourself ahead. Don’t live for self. “…or vain conceit.” – that means don’t be conceited. Don’t think you are better than others. It’s vain, empty, worthless.
Now most people know that conceit is wrong. But Paul takes it a step further.
“Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” (2:3).
There – that’s the revolution. Genuine humility. And it’s about others. Value others. Think about other people as more important than yourself. Man, when I heard this the first time, I thought it was about the best idea I’d ever heard. Because I was way too familiar with the alternative. The whole world runs on envy – on selfish ambition – me against them and me better than them. And it’s pointless. Run the rat race as fast as you can, you’re still a rat.
Now remember, this is about unity. And the key to unity is humility. And as CS Lewis said, “True humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” Listen, work is hard, but hard work just to make yourself happy – is miserable. Jesus rescued us from the emptiness of the self-centered life, and he gave us others. Not to make you happy – so you can make someone else happy.
So what does humility look like in the flesh? We have one amazing example. Verse 5:
“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 own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (2:5-7).
The same mindset as Christ, the Jesus attitude. And Jesus came to serve. I should point out that verse 6 is a clear proclamation that Jesus is God – his very nature – who He is – God. But that’s exactly what makes the whole thing so amazing. Jesus didn’t come to show off his deity. The One who made everything – made himself nothing. He is by his very nature God, and he took the very nature of a servant.
Jesus poured out his life for others. So Paul says, this is how to live. Watch and you’ll see. The most miserable people you encounter talk about themselves, think about themselves, and grumble and argue constantly about others. The most joyful people you’ll find forget themselves and serve.
So I guess the answer to the question, what is a Christian all about? Well, same thing Christ is about. Others.
Host: Thanks for joining us for today’s quick audio guide. You can find the full audio guide for this chapter and hundreds more on the Through the Word app and website. Our apps are free and free to share, so tell your friends and take the journey together. And remember, faith comes by hearing, and hearing Through the Word (Romans 10:17).
Bible quotes in NIV unless otherwise stated
from Philippians Explained | I Can Do All Things Through Christ