Philippians 2: 1-11
Imitating Christ’s Humility
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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above ourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 Rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The study shows that Paul’s primary expression was to be humble in all we do. Primarily, he [Paul] called for a “unity among those within Philippi. Phil 2:2-3, 2 “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” 3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above ourselves.” To accomplish this task, Paul asked the people of Philippi to be selfless in their will to complete tasks, to act without conceit, to help others, and to think of others before thinking of oneself.
As people, human beings, we seek tasks out of selfish ambition. As Christians, followers of Christ, we need to put aside selfish ambition (Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.) For our love for Christ Jesus, one must love others; out of that love, we need to put the needs of others before our own needs and wants (Philippians 2:4).
Ambition is a good thing; people, especially Christians, should have ambition to complete Jesus’ mandates, Biblical requirements, seek missionary work, and share the gospel with the lost. Selfish ambition, we should avoid. It is when people focus on themselves, when conceit comes forth, people should avoid.
Unity of believers with an attitude of love (Christ like) will think of others better than myself. This is an attitude that is 100% contradictory to a Secular worldview, to the world as a whole, to the flesh (of man). Paul promotes the idea of Selfless service in Philippians, which is referred to as Servant Leadership in modern times, and is popular among those in leadership roles. “In humility, value others above ourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3 & 4.