Philippians chapter 2  gives Four Examples of “THIS Mind …” Manifested in the lives of …Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus and…

THE LORD JESUS –{v 5-11}

Jesus came to this sin soaked earth by choice. Voluntarily, Purposely, lovingly. “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!-“-{Phil 2:5-9 NIV}. “God…sent forth His Son…”-{Gal 4:4}…“…He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”-{Phil 2:8}. He laid His life down to seek the highest good for OTHERS through OBEDIENCE for the glory of the Father…all the way from Heaven to earth, His incarnation, Life, Death on the cruel, shameful Cross. No sacrifice too great for Him for those who were opposed to Him, who mocked Him, despised Him and rejected Him because of their “selfish ambition and vain glory.” They were those who lacked “humility of mind,” which means, “lowliness of mind,” their pride and self centered thinking and living had them bound up in sin, rebellion against God, yet He came and laid His life down for them, for …you… and…me, rebellious, sin soaked individuals who love ourselves more than God and what He did. Sin is manifested in selfishness! You don’t have to teach a child to  be selfish.They are born with a sin nature and their desire to have and not share is a manifestation of their sin nature. Sin is not what we do but who we are!

Paul is speaking to followers of Christ not to be selfish or self promoting, valuing empty praise and pursuing such to the neglect and hurt of humbly, lovingly serving others for Jesus sake!  He tells them not to, because they have the power to reject being selfish and instead preferring others! {Read Phil 2:13; Phil 4:19 NLT}.

Its a choice to make. The choice is to express love to Him, out of gratitude not to win His approval or acceptance for “In Christ” we have that! – {Rad Rom 5:2; Eph 1;6, Rom 1:7}…who has proven His love to you by choosing to obey His command. -{Read john 14:21}. Or the choice to reject Him, His Word, his way and fall back into the way you were before He rescued you, when you were a prisoner to sin , incapable of lovingly preferring others, with no desire BUT for self gain, self promotion!

The LORD  Jesus manifests ‘”The mind of Christ,” how He thought which was seen in THE CHOICES He made…Choosing to prefer others, sinful people, by lovingly, courageously, obediently, laying His life down for others spiritual benefit, for God’s glory!

“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.  Have this MIND {attitude} IN yourselves which was also IN Christ Jesus,”- {Philippians 2:3-5}

 

He SERVED OTHERS before SELF.