A Call to humility: Philippians 2:1-11

Our earlier admonition in Chapter 1 was that no matter what happens, “conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…so that you will be able to stand firm as a witness to the gospel of Christ. For Christians, our unity is our witness. That was Jesus prayer in John 17: 21. But honestly Paul, surely Jesus, how do we remain united when we are so different?

The answer to this question is the essence of this whole passage, summarized in verse 3: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves”

This is what church fathers called ‘self-denial’ or, giving up what you consider is your right. Self-denial is a strange message to many ears today because we are more comfortable with words like self-actualization, or self-fulfillment or self-esteem, you know, words that make us feel good. There is nothing wrong with them in their right contexts. But self-denial is not the same as self-contempt. It is really very simple. What causes people to disagree? It is the need of each person to have his or her own way in a situation. When people argue and disagree, very important values are at stake and each is passionately committed to one side or another, sometimes with good cause. But quite, often not listening to others’ opinion is a sign of a deeper problem of a powerful, self-centered ego. Some people will not have it any other way unless they are in charge and their presence is felt (mostly men). Those that loose the argument then enter into a pity-party, anger, or bitterness and rally others that are disgruntled and rebellion builds up (mostly women). The winner of the argument then feels justified to continue having their way, and the disgruntled continue rebelling. Conflict builds up.

This is where Paul advocates the medicine of self-denial, which Jesus points the way as eloquently sang in the "Hymn of Christ" in vs 6-11. Jesus was God, with a right to all power. But he left the power to become a servant. He even became the lower than a servant and allowed himself to be humiliated on the cross. That was what earned our salvation. He in turn was exalted to the highest place by God. Our happiness is not dependent on getting what we want. It depends on doing the will of God.

Most international crises would be averted if some would just give way to others. For example if warlords of Somalia would choose one of them to become president, the country would be united by a normal government. Security would be assured. No more pirates off the Somalia coast. No more hijacked ships on their way to Kenya etc.

Scale that down to your own home or work place. If you were to step with Jesus into the path of self-denial and listen to your spouse, work mates or friends and do nothing out of selfish ambition, how much radical goodness would you unleash? You would disarm the power of sin to control your circumstances, and you will be happier if others around you are happy.

Think it over: Would your relationships improve if you stopped trying to have your own way?

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