Part One: Thoughts on Philippians 2:1-11

"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. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

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!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:1-11

In Philippians 2:1-11, we are encouraged to live differently: humble and with the same mindset of Christ.  This is very counter to our culture; humility is rare.  Read it, read it again and read it a third time.  There is so much in the passage, probably to much to tackle for one post, but here are some thoughts I have gleaned from the passage:

• If you don't have Christ, this is not possible.  We cannot become humble without Christ.  Christ must be in control of your life for humility to rule in your life.  

• We must be focused on Christ.  We cannot be humble with our own operation powers, self will, or legalist training methods.

• As you continue to follow Christ seeking him throughout the day, He will transform you into his likeness; hence the words "have the same mindset as Christ Jesus."

• A few things we should be avoiding:  do nothing out of selfish ambition- Don't look after yourself first, but others.  Being selfish with your time and resources is the fast track to not being humble.  vain conceit- Pride.  Nothing else needs to be said.  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others- Matthew 7:12 says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..."

If we are focused on Christ, following his teaching than we will not fall into these areas. Romans 2:8 says that that "who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."

Here is plenty to chew on in Part One: Thoughts on Philippians 2:1-11.  I pray that we stay focused on Christ and chase after Him with wreckless abandonment.

God Bless.