This is one of my favourite passages and we can see that there are 4 parts, and we will briefly look at The appeal, application, example and the result:
- The appeal
Paul wrote,” have make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”And if they all felt the same way as he did, it would be seen in their actions – how they lived with each other, and he gave them some advice.
- The application
This was how they should respond to his appeal: “3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of the others.” This runs so counter to our instinctive nature to look after number one. But what a concept! To think of others first. To love and care for each other. And it takes an act of humility to put others first.
- The example
Paul gives them and us the supreme example of Jesus,“5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Our actions spring from our attitudes – how we think is a precursor to our actions – the things we do. And we get an insight of what caused Jesus to do the things he did.
Paul, speaking of Jesus, said, “6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross!”
The greatest act of humility – firstly, to give up His heavenly glory as part of the God head and to come into our world, born into a lowly stable and placed in manger – an animal feeding trough. Then in obedience to his heavenly father – to give his life for us on the cross.What better example could we have?
- The result
As we know, it didn’t end at the crucifixion of Jesus, because he beat death and rose again. And Paul gives us God the father’s response for such a courageous and humble act.
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
And this is the Jesus we follow. And we live in a time where these words are yet to be fulfilled. Because we know that, at the moment, not every knee bows at the name of Jesus. And not every tongue confesses that Jesus Christ is Lord. We are still in that now but not yet time. But when Jesus returns in glory – all will be made right.
Final thoughts
I don’t know how many of you here have made CVs telling a potential employer why he or she should hire you. But I’m willing to put money on the fact that you didn’t emphasis how humble you are. Or that humility was a great strength of your character. Because the world in which we live doesn’t value humility, the concept of putting the interests of someone else before your own just doesn’t make sense in this fallen world. And this just highlights how counter cultural the message of Christianity is. In our world it is all about looking after number one. About doing what is best for me. There was an advert with the strap line, ‘Because I’m worth it’. This just emphasises how self centred we can be.
On a more serious note. We are living through difficult and potentially dangerous times. When we see world leaders without a trace of humility, then we have every right to feel apprehensive. When men and women of power are prepared to do almost anything to get their own way, it is so often the innocents that suffer as a result.
But as we enter this Lenten period, where we pause and think of own journey to the cross and what that means to each one of us. May we hold on to this idea of humility, and the wonderful example of Jesus. We might not be able to change the attitude of others, but we can and should examine our own attitudes. It is only when everyone is looking out only for their own interests that we get into trouble. If we look out for each other, and care and love each other. Then we have a chance.
And I want to tell you how proud I am of so many of you all here today. I see how we care for each other; I hear of many acts of kindness and love. These things do not go unnoticed. Most importantly, our heavenly father notices and sees all. And who knows, others may see our example of how we love each other and think, ‘I wouldn’t mind being part of that.’
So. during this time of Lent and beyond, may we see that acts of humility are not as the world would see it – as a weakness. But how our heavenly Father sees it – as our greatest strength. Amen