“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, assuming human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human.”
Philippians 2:5-7
I have an ego. Many, probably all, of us do.
I like it when people notice I’ve done something clever or when they complement me or praise my accomplishments. It is nice when people notice, and even nicer when they give me attention.
At the same time, I’m not a people pleaser. I tend to be okay when I’m not praised, and I am secure enough in who I am that many things don’t bother me.
But the standard Paul sets in Philippians is pretty intense. Just before these verses, Paul tells us to do nothing out of selfish ambition. I’m ambitious, so this hits fairly hard. I try not to be selfish. But I know that I can be… ok, I’ll be honest, I know that I am selfish.
Paul then says that we ought to regard others as better than ourselves. I believe in honoring all of humanity. I have no problem showing respect to everyone, and it really bothers me when people who think too highly of themselves look down on those they consider less worthy. But man, is it difficult for me to truly and honestly think of others as better than me.
He then says to look out for others’ interests, not our own. I think I’m decent at looking out for the interests of others. Yet I never seem to let my own interests out of my sight.
Paul then comes to Philippians 2:5-7, where he says we are to have the mind of Christ. Christ was equal with God the Father. He had the power to create the universe. And to serve humanity’s interests, He chose to empty Himself of all that power and glory and become a human. He didn’t even become an earthly prince or King. He became the son of a carpenter, a day worker. He gave up phenomenal cosmic power (yes, that is an Aladdin quote) to live in poverty and work with his hands. He even came before electricity, cars, running water, and all our modern conveniences.
Jesus placed our good so far above His own that He gave up more than I could ever imagine for my good and for yours.
That is the standard Paul is saying we should pursue. That is the mind we are to emulate. We should care so much about the good of others that we would give it all up for them.
Leave it to Paul to remind me how far I am from who I should be and how my love pales in comparison to Christ’s. Still, Christ’s love is the model. A love that places others above self in the most profound way possible.
A Quote to Consider:
“In general, the church seems clueless about the nature and character of its own subculture and how completely irrelevant and ironically worldly it appears to outsiders in the non-Christian world.”
This quote seems to be truer every year.
I spent years in churches that actively and consciously contrasted themselves to “the world.” To suggest to them that they are worldly would be scandalous.
But it is true. When I have a hard time viewing others as more important than me, I am being worldly. When I seek my own benefit or pursue praise or power, I am being worldly.
For decades, the Church has actively sought influence in our country’s culture. We have set political agendas. We have organized charitable programs. We have sought to develop brands rooted in our piety and our purity.
We have, at times, hidden terrible things, attempting to protect the public testimony of the Church, or more often, of a particular church.
That is all worldly. That is all exactly what the world does.
A popular Christian pop song from the 1990s had a simple line, “What about the change? What about the difference?”
Too often, the church is nothing but a whitewashed version of the world. Yet as long as our efforts bear a cross or an ichthus (fish symbol), we mistake the whitewashing for white robes of purity.
So, what should the change be? What should be the difference?
Love.
The type of love that Christ had that sought the good of others. The type of love that does not seek our own benefit.
The early church did not change the world because it had political power. It changed the world because it was known for its love. Often, people today credit the church’s gain in power with the church’s corruption… yet they themselves seek cultural and political power.
The world seeks to change through power. Christ changed the world by giving up power and sacrificing himself in love.
May we be more like Christ than the world.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
Forgive my pride and selfish ambition. Teach me to have Your mind, to love others more deeply, and to seek their good above my own. Make me less like the world and more like You.
In your name,
Amen.
Image: Pamela Reynoso
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