RELATIONSHIPS ROOTED IN CHRIST

 Philippians 2:1-11 / Keywords 2:5

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

 

2:1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature[a] God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

7 rather, he made himself nothing

    by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,

    being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man,

    he humbled himself

    by becoming obedient to death—

        even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

    and gave him the name that is above every name,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.

Footnotes

a. Philippians 2:6 Or in the form of

b. Philippians 2:7 Or the form

1. We live in a climate of uncompromising political agendas and opposing narratives. It is tricky to discuss hot topics that generate heated debate and possible division, even in the church. It was not so different in Paul's time. Rather than choosing which side to belong to, or who was right and wrong, Paul points us to the attributes of Christ. Christ is tender and compassionate, loving and encouraging. Paul highlights the amazing humility of Christ's incarnation. Jesus became fully human in order to have a relationship with us. In doing so, Jesus closes the huge gap between the holy and righteous God and messy humanity.

 

2. Jesus became like us, even the least of us. He became a baby without any voice or rights; he knew what it was like to be a teenager, to be poor, to be misunderstood, to be persecuted, and even to suffer and die. Through Jesus, we all belong to God and can find his welcoming arms. Unity and one-ness are less about being right and more about loving relationships and a ministry of belonging with God and each other, despite our differences.

 

Prayer Lord, I often care to be on the right side rather than to love others who are different or think different than I do. Help me to have the humility of Christ to embrace and care for others more than my own honor or image. May my life be firmly rooted in your love.

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