Philippians 2:1-8

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 2:4-5

Humility and thinking of others before oneself are rare commodities in today's world.  Most of the world's philosophy and life style is geared toward self-fulfillment and self-advancement.  The Lord, however, asks us to live lives of humility, love, and selflessness.  Philippians 2:1-4 says, "If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others."

The Lord has showered us, His children, with His spiritual blessings.  The Lord gave us His salvation from sin's power and penalty through His precious blood on the cross.  He also daily gives us His encouragement, comfort, love, and fellowship.  The Lord daily lavishes on us His compassion and tenderness.  In light of God's blessings to us we need to show the same love to others.  We need to especially show that love to our fellow believers.

We must show Christ-like love to others.  We must seek to be united and "one in spirit and purpose" with our fellow believers in Christ (Philippians 2:2b).  This does not mean we will have perfect uniformity of thought at all times, but there should be a common working together among believers for the glory of God.  There should also be a loving and humble servant attitude towards fellow Christians.  We must not act out in selfish motives or to stroke our own egos, but with a humble spirit we must consider other's needs and feelings before ourselves.

This does not mean that everyone else is superior to us or more gifted than us.  It simply means that we must follow Christ's example and give others preferential treatment.  It means that we consider other's needs equally to our own needs.  Romans 12:15-16 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  Live in harmony with one another."  We need to experience joy and not jealousy in our fellow believers' accomplishments, honors received, and joyful experiences.  We also need to mourn and sympathize with those who are going through difficult times.

We must show the same Christ-like love to others that Christ showed to us.  Philippians 2:5 tells us, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."  We are to demonstrate Christ's attitude of self-sacrificing love and humility in our lives.  Christ Jesus, who is God Himself, left His perfect place of glory with God, the Father, in heaven.   Philippians 2:7b  says the He came to this world of sin and took "the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."

What is even more amazing Philippians 2:8b reminds us that "He humbled Himself and became obedient to death-even death on the cross!"  Jesus left the glories of heaven and came to this earth to live a perfect life for us that we could not live.  Jesus then suffered the horrors of hell itself on the cross for us.  What love!  What humility!  What sacrifice! Should we not show that same humility, selfless love, and servant attitude to others?