Philippians 2:1-13

Paul lifts up a challenge to the Philippians with the words, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, …any comfort of love, …any fellowship of the Spirit, …any bowels and mercies.” It is self evident to all who are second born that consolation, comfort, fellowship and mercy are all found in Christ. (The Greek word, splagchnon (translated as bowels) in verse 1, means inward affection.) Since these are found in Christ, Paul asks that the Philippians fill his joy by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, and being of one mind. Paul’s joy is filled when others emulate Christ.

The like mind that the Apostle urges the Philippians to be of is that of Christ and is characterized by a lowliness of mind which is evidenced in the esteeming others to be more deserving than oneself.

In verse 4, Paul appeals to the Philippians to look to the needs of others before looking to one’s own needs. In effect, he calls upon believers to act as their brother’s keeper.

Esteeming others above self and placing other’s needs before one’s own is an unnatural thing. It is contrary to the nature of men. Paul’s appeal stands in stark contrast to the counsel given by secular humanists of the present day. Secularists stress the necessity of filling one’s own needs first. Secular humanists claim that it is only possible to satisfy the needs of others when one has first met his own needs. This view is correct, if and only if, one’s need is the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If one is without Jesus Christ, His consolation, His comfort, His fellowship, His deep affection and His mercies, the secular humanists are correct. Knowing Christ as Lord and Savior is a need which must be fulfilled before one can satisfy the needs of others. Without Christ, one cannot do that which Paul urges.

The Apostle does not suggest that the Philippians proceed without Christ. In verse 5, he says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus put your need and my need before His own. He willingly laid down His life as payment for our iniquities and the iniquities of others. He esteemed lost sinners to be worthy of His death upon the cross.

Jesus did not save me, you or anyone else from the consequences of sin by human power. Jesus did the unnatural thing. He placed Himself in a position where He could not do one thing for anyone of His own human power. He humbled Himself to the cross, giving up His life’s blood. Because He was obedient unto death on the cross, God the Father counted His death as payment for me, you and all others who have called upon His name, believing.

The Apostle calls for the Philippians (and all other Christians) to have the mind which is in Christ. The mind in Christ which the Philippians (and believers of today) are called to have is the mind of one equal with God, the mind of one who willingly took the role of the servant in a body of flesh. This is the mind that does the unnatural thing. It is the mind that esteems the needs of others more than one’s own needs. To have the mind of Christ, one must willingly assume the role of the lowly servant. The lowly servant puts others before himself. When we put others before ourselves, the unnatural love of the Father is seen in us.

Paul instructs the Philippians to work out their own salvation (v. 12). This instruction follows a description of what God the Father did in response to Jesus’ submitting Himself to the cross. God the Father exalted Christ above all others. The lowly servant was exalted above all —including those for whom He gave Himself. The implication is clear: God will abundantly reward those who place the needs of others before their own. God the Father is a rewarder of them who do His will.

Secular humanists caution men to put their own needs first so that they might benefit others out their abundance. Paul speaks with the knowledge of God. God gives abundance to them who put the needs of others first. It is the mind of Christ within believers that moves them to do God’s will and to do that which is pleasing.

In verse 11, the apostle states that every tongue shall confess Jesus Christ as Lord to the glory of God. One praises God by exhibiting the mind which is in Christ. Believers are to glorify God by being His testimony.

The challenge is before men today as it was before the Philippians. Let us willingly assume the role of the lowly servant that we might praise God. Let us be of the mind that is in Christ —submitting ourselves for His glory.