Committed Mind (Philippians 2:5-9) – PART 2

The Importance of a Committed Mind (Philippians 2:5-9) – PART 2

Philippians 2:5-9, Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Philippians 2:5-9 is one of the greatest passages ever written about Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the supreme example of humility. It paints the perfect picture of the humility of Jesus Christ. Jesus displayed complete selflessness, servanthood and sacrifice that puts the needs of others before Himself. No one has ever come close to humbling himself like Jesus Christ did, and no one ever will. Yet, if the problems of the church and of the world are to ever be solved, we must humble ourselves just as Christ did. The unity of a church depends upon its members walking in the humility of Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we must show His humility by living unselfishly and sacrificially, caring for others’ needs and concerns and doing good to them. As Christians, we are to have the same mind, or attitude of Jesus Christ.

Humility of Christ:
Jesus made Himself of no reputation. Meaning “to empty”. Jesus never emptied Himself of deity, however voluntarily laid aside some of His divine privileges when He came into this world. He didn't lose them; He chose to lay them aside. Some believe that Jesus emptied Himself of His Deity when He came and was born of the virgin. This is totally and completely unscriptural. Jesus was God in the womb of Mary, God in the cradle, God when a little child, God when He was a young man, God on His face in the garden, God in Pilate’s Hall, God as He was being scourged, God bearing His cross up Golgotha, God on the cross, and He was God when He yielded up the ghost. Jesus took upon Him the form of a servant. For all appearances, Jesus would have passed for a slave. Jesus was made in the likeness of man. In the beginning of creation, God made man in His image, Genesis 1:26. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, God made Himself in man’s image! Jesus being found in fashion as a man. Jesus was born as a man, He lived as a man, He suffered as a man and He died as a man. He did it to save us, to understand us and to help us (Hebrews 4:15-16).

Holiness of Christ:
Jesus was in the “form” of God. This word refers to the very essence of God. It is a statement of fact that Jesus was God before He came to this world, and the passage goes on to tell us that He remained God when He arrived here. When God became a man, He never stopped being God! While Jesus Christ was 100% man, He was also 100% God! He simply concealed His heavenly fame within an earthly frame!

An elderly preacher was rebuked one Sunday morning before the service. "Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There's been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he's just a boy." Any pastor that has experienced this kind of incident knows how this preacher felt. Satan loves to use people to lower a bomb on the preacher right before he gets up to preach. The pastor graciously listened, his eyes moistened and his thin hand trembled. "I feel it all," he replied, "but God knows I've tried to do my duty." On that day the pastor's heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign. He was feeling pretty low and felt like a failure. After everyone else had left, that one boy that was saved that year came to him and asked, "Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher—perhaps a missionary?" Again tears welled up in the pastor's eyes. "Ah, this heals the ache I feel," he said. "Robert, I see God's hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher." Many years passed. An aged missionary returned to London from the continent of Africa. His name was spoken with great respect and reverence. Nobles and dignitaries invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa's most savage chiefs. He translated the Bible into the Setswana language. He also was the father of ten children. His daughter Mary, married missionary David Livingstone. Another son, John, became a missionary at a mission station in Kuruman. His grandson, Howard, became the Prime Minister of Southern Rhodesia. The name of the aged missionary was Robert Moffat. He was the one boy that was saved in the church, the same Robert, who many years before, had spoken to the discouraged pastor that felt like a failure on that Sunday morning in the old Scottish church. May the Lord help us to be faithful until He returns or until the day we take our last breath. May we never underestimate what God is doing in us now and will continue to do in our service to Him. May we leave the results of our labors to Him.

Point to Ponder:
Allow the humility and holiness of Christ to flood and flow through your mind.

Question to Consider:
Have you thanked Him today for Who He is and what He has done for you?

PRAYER: Lord help me to humble and holy. This can only come if I will allow my mind to be renewed by You. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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