Example of Humility

When you think of the word unity, what comes to mind? If you look it up, you get “the state of being joined as a whole.” Is that what Paul is urging the Church to do here in the first part of chapter two? Yes. And he is doing so by giving us a look at the life of Christ and saying “do it like this.”

Humility is a quality not too many people possess. We all like to think we are better than others, we judge others to make ourselves look better, and when it comes to serving others, well, “I can’t lower my standards to that….” But at the root of what Paul is saying, just as Jesus did, we are to humble ourselves in order that we may serve others well. We are to count others more significant than ourselves. When we do this we begin looking not just to the interest of ourselves, but to the interest of others. If humility is what we strive for we must begin looking at people as being in the image of God.

Our church desires to be a disciple making Church. We can’t do this without being place of humility and of love. Two words that describe the life of Christ and should describe the Church. But is that true? Does that describe how we live and the expression of our relationship with Jesus? In this life Paul is urging the Church of Philippi and he urges us to have the mindset of Christ. Don’t let little things get in the way of the big picture. And certainly don’t let our own pride be the destruction and divide in the Church. Three words to summarize the beginning of chapter two: Humility, Love, Service. If we do this we will be joined together as a whole.

Father, open my eyes to the pride in my life. Open my eyes to the pride I bring to the Church. Allow me to see clearly that pride has no place in the Kingdom of God. Lead me in the example of the life you lived and may I live through the lens of you not me. Forgive me where I fall short. Thank you for sending Jesus to be our example. Amen!