You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
Philippians 2:5–7
Mark wrote of an event that occurred in the lives of the disciples where their lack of humility prompted a selfish lust for power. Paul encouraged the Philippian Christians to answer Jesus’s call to selflessness so they would enjoy unity—a quality no congregation can enjoy without members who consistently pursue the discipline of humility. The disciples in the church at first-century Philippi lacked humility of mind—that habitual selflessness that comes by consistently putting others ahead of self.
Philippians 2:3–11 forms two segments of Paul’s exhortation on humility: a command and a perspective to help his readers obey it. In verses 3–4, Paul commands humility while describing what the discipline would look like among the believers:
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
What difference does the discipline of humility make in a community? I can think of at least four important results. First, Christians remove selfishness as a motivation. Second, they become less conceited. Third, believers think of others as more important than themselves. Fourth, they deliberately and consistently attend to the needs of others.
What is it that prompts humility within me? What do I need to think or to do that will allow me to think less of myself and more of others? A full appreciation for the sacrifice that Christ made for me will do that. Everything I have, everything I am, every good thing I enjoy would not be possible were it not for Him. The more I understand the price He paid, the less room I have for pride. The more I comprehend how Christ humbled Himself and served me, the more I’m able to put my needs below those of others. I exist because of the price another has paid.
Taken from The Owner’s Manual for Christians by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2009 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Used by permission of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. www.harpercollinschristian.com
