By Bryan D. Gill, D.Min.
Director of the Office of Faith, Learning and Vocation, Samford University
HUMILITY
Philippians 2:1–11
Humility is a foreign concept in today’s culture. We are quick to tout our own accomplishments and seek our own gain long before we build up others. I believe this stems from a fear that our own desires will not be met or victories will not be recognized unless we do it ourselves. This type of self-reliance is dangerous because it places us as the focus of our lives.
When we focus on our own needs, we neglect to see the needs of others. In today’s passage, Paul is teaching the church in Philippi to serve others with love and humility the same way Jesus did.
Love lays the groundwork for humility. (1–2)
In these verses, Paul was teaching the Philippians that they too could participate in the encouragement they received through being united with Christ. They weren’t just to be the recipients of Christ’s love, tenderness and compassion; they were also to be active participants in sharing these with others.
Paul urges them to be unified in the Spirit by showing the same love to others they received from Jesus. Paul’s joy was not complete until they began to show others the same love he had shown them. The love of Christ was the starting point and foundation for being united to Christ and others. Love is the common thread that unites believers.
Love leads us to humbly serve others. (3–4)
When the love of Jesus permeates our hearts and we begin to see others the way Jesus does, our focus shifts from our own needs to the needs of others. When we love people with the love of Christ, the world slowly comes into focus and we see the needs that are all around us. We notice the hungry, sick, scared, lonely and hurting who have been there all along. When we love others, we will serve them with humility.
Their needs become our responsibility, and we play an active role in how God meets their needs.
By serving others, we are trusting that God will provide for our own needs in the way we are helping to provide for the needs of those we serve. When we refuse to serve those around us, it shows our lack of faith that God will provide for us.
Serving others is one of the best ways to reveal our faith in Jesus because it shows we are trusting in Him for our own needs.
Jesus is the example for humility. (5–11)
If there was ever a person who deserved to not be humble, it was Jesus — God in the flesh. However, He set the example for us in how we should live lives of humility.
In verses 5–11, Paul gives the Philippians the blueprint for what it means to have the mindset of Christ. By understanding that Jesus had the right to treat people any way He wanted but still chose humility and love, we see how we should live.
Regardless of how important we think we are or what our status is in our community, we will never have the resumé of Jesus, the Son of God. If Jesus chose humility, how much more should we? Jesus chose to love and serve with humility and compassion.
Are we trusting that His way is best, or do we believe that we know better? Only our actions will tell. God desires that we love and serve others with humility and trust Him with our lives.
EDITOR’S NOTE — The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
Share with others: