“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. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2:5-8
Have you ever had someone set aside what they wanted so you could have what you wanted?
It feels nice, doesn’t it? We like what we like and we like to have what we like. Giving up what we like hurts in some ways. However, it can also feel good.
Philippians 2:5-8 tells of the wonderful selflessness of Jesus that led to our salvation. This passage always makes me feel small and petty. Here, we’re talking about Jesus, God, the one to whom all glory, honor, and praise belong. He humbled himself for us. Then, I think of all the times I, just a regular guy and sinner to boot, insisted on having my way rather than looking out for the needs of others.
God is asking us to do what He did in how we relate to others. That last part is important.
This Is About You and Others, Not You and God.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:“
When it comes to your relationship with God, it’s all about what Jesus did. This humility and caring are about how you relate to others. So, we don’t say, “I insisted on my way, maybe I’m not a Christian.” Rather, we say, “I am a Christian saved by grace, so I’m going to try to humble myself and care for others.”
Caring for others
God created us to live in relationship with other people. These relationships come in all shapes and sizes from marriage to casual acquaintances, but there are some similarities between them. We are to love others and that means looking out for the needs of others.
Sometimes that means giving up what we want for their sake. This doesn’t mean that we lose who we are, but rather we are attentive to the needs of others.
“Why does everything have to be ‘us’? Is there no ‘me’ left? Why can’t there be some things just for me? Is that so selfish?” – George Costanza (Seinfeld).
That’s a quote from the 90’s TV show, Seinfeld. The character, George, was struggling with what it would mean to be married. When I marry couples this is one of the messages I love to give, not the Seinfeld quote, but the concept of looking out for the needs of others.
I tell the husband, you love your wife and take care of her needs. Then I tell the wife, she should love her husband and take care of his needs. It’s a beautiful system when we do it right. When we look out only for our needs and wants, we may still get what we need, but that need is met through pride and selfishness. When husbands and wives look out for each other’s needs, they get what they need, but that need is met through humility and love.
This isn’t just the case for marriage, but for any relationship. The intimacy of the relationship changes as well as the boundaries and commitment, but we still love our neighbor.
Dear Jesus,
You humbled Yourself, though You are Lord of all. Help me to humble myself and love others.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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