The Humility of Christ

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 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!" — Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians is a wonderful and a challenging book to go through. Those that have been here for the H2O series are starting to get that. Last week, the challenge was to spread the Gospel, and the challenge in chapter two is about the attitude we're supposed to convey.

Paul starts that call early in the second chapter. What he's talking about is an attitude of humility.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." — Philippians 2:3-4.

Think about that challenge in contrast to the world we live in. Paul tells us that we need to exhibit humility and not selfish ambition. It sounds easy, but it's actually very hard, especially in a world and culture that worships celebrity. That's why, when we see demonstrations of humility, it stands out so much to us.

This past week was a great example to me, as I watched the interview with Houston Texans running back Arian Foster. On a day where the media was consumed with where Peyton Manning would make his millions, Foster, in a press conference for his new five-year, $43 million contract, offered a demonstration of humility.

Last year Foster, despite being the best running back in the league, was one of the lowest paid. Yet you never heard a complaint about it. And heading into the off-season, there were no large contract demands or posturing. And when he received a new deal, he talked about why. Telling the story of his family's struggles growing up, and how they always smiled through it and focused on their blessings. It was a reminder of what's really important in life and, more importantly, how God calls us to live our lives.

Consider Paul's exhortation for humility by the passage that follows it, the passage I started this post with. Jesus doesn't ask us to do anything He hasn't done Himself, in an even more fantastic and incredible way. Jesus is God, yet He bowed low and sacrificed Himself for us. When we keep that awesome fact in mind, a call to live our lives in humility doesn't just seem reasonable, it seems like the only possible thing to do.

It doesn't mean it's easy, but it is the challenge we should all aspire to if we want to be more Christ-like.