This passage is a powerful passage from the New Testament of the Bible that holds deep meaning and provides guidance for believers. In this passage, the Apostle Paul encourages the Philippians, and by extension, all believers, to adopt the mindset of Christ and to exemplify humility and selflessness in their lives.
In these verses, Paul encourages us to adopt the mindset of Christ, to have His thoughts and attitudes as our own. He calls us to reflect on the nature of Jesus and the example He set during His earthly life. It is a call to transform our thinking and align it with the selfless and humble nature of Christ.
The passage begins by urging us to have a particular mindset, one that was also present in Jesus. This mindset is characterized by humility, selflessness, and a willingness to serve others. We are called to imitate Jesus in our thoughts and actions, following His example in how we relate to God and to one another.
The following verse explains that Jesus, though He was divine and equal with God, did not cling to His exalted position or demand His rights as God. He did not consider His equality with God as something to be grasped or held onto tightly. Instead, He willingly made Himself nothing, emptying Himself of His divine privileges.
Jesus, who was in the very form of God, chose to take on the form of a servant. He voluntarily humbled Himself and became a human being, taking on our likeness and living among us. This act of self-emptying and taking on the role of a servant is a profound demonstration of His love and compassion for humanity.
By identifying with us in our human condition, Jesus not only demonstrated His humility but also opened the way for our salvation. Through His incarnation, Jesus bridged the gap between divinity and humanity, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
In these verses, Paul calls us to embrace the same selflessness and humility that Jesus displayed. We are challenged to let go of our pride, position, and entitlements and instead adopt a servant's heart. It is a call to sacrificial love, putting the needs and interests of others before our own.
This passage reminds us that true greatness is found in humility and service. Our society often values power, status, and recognition, but Jesus teaches us a different way. He shows us that the path to true greatness lies in self-sacrifice, compassion, and putting others' needs before our own.
As believers, we are called to live in the likeness of Christ, reflecting His character and embodying His teachings. We are invited to embrace His mindset and allow it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. By doing so, we can become instruments of God's love and grace in the world, impacting those around us for the better.
In conclusion, Philippians 2:5-7 invites us to adopt the mindset of Christ, who humbly and selflessly emptied Himself for our sake. It challenges us to imitate His example by embracing humility, serving others, and letting go of selfish ambitions. As we align our minds and hearts with Christ, we can experience the transformative power of His love and become agents of His grace in the world.
See also: vs 1-4
Philippians 2:5-7. Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.