Philippians
2:5-11: The Example of Selflessness
With so many corrupt leaders, it is
easy to assume that there has never been a good example of servant-leadership.
Need I remind us all that Christ has shown the perfect example of selflessness?
This is the example we are to follow and indeed the example of selflessness.
Philippians 2:5-11
English Standard Version (ESV)
5 Have
this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[a] 6 who,
though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a
thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by
taking the form of a servant,[b] being born in the likeness of
men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled
himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a
cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted
him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so
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.
Claim
the Mindset of Christ, Namely Selflessness (v. 5)
Paul assures us that the mindset we
are to take on (which he has previously spoken of in verses 1-4) is ours in
Christ Jesus. This means that we must claim it. We are not called to achieve
it, but it has already been achieved so we must claim it. What mindset it that
though? That is the mindset of selflessness.
What Does Selflessness Look Like?
(vv. 6-7)
The question now arises: what does
selflessness look like? The perfect example of it has been given to us in Jesus
Christ. Prior to the incarnation of Christ, he was the very form of God, Greek morphe theou. However, the Bible tells
us here that he did not consider it but instead took on human form by emptying
himself. This does not mean that he gave up his position as God; it simply
means that he neglected his position as God to become completely human. This
has so many implications with it, one being that if Jesus Christ could live a
sinless life as a human, we can too! Will we though? Absolutely not because the
Bible tells us that no one is sinless. Nonetheless, as sinners saved by grace,
we are called to live sinless in Christ, which is completely possible. Why do
we so often make excuses for our sin then? There is no excuse, and it is when
we realize that fact, our concept of the mercy of God is greatly magnified.
Selflessness looks like Christ. He
showed the perfect example of selflessness by taking on the form of a human,
becoming less than he had to. We must also not consider ourselves worth
anything except in Jesus Christ and, therefore, serve others as Christ did.
Exaltation
Is the Result of Selflessness in the Kingdom of God (vv. 8-11)
In the Kingdom of God, selflessness
leads to God-honoring. You will be honored for selflessness. It is no small
thing, although it may seem as so, at times. Take the example of Christ. It was precisely the selflessness of
Christ that resulted in his exaltation. This is true with any believer, but
because Christ is the perfect example of selflessness, he is now exalted above
all. The Bible says that the highest name in existence was bestowed upon him.
What is that name though? It is not the name, Jesus, as many mistakenly believe. No, the name is Lord. That is what every tongue will declare,
namely that he is Lord!
It is because we carry the name of
Christ that we must contribute in selflessness. This is our call, and indeed we
have a great example.
