If we truly love someone, we are not only willing to endure trouble on their behalf but even count it a privilege. We are happy to trouble ourselves for those we love. Human relationships often disappoint because our love is not reciprocated. Jesus, however, never disappoints. In his inspired letter to the Philippians the Apostle Paul points out that it is a privilege to suffer for Christ. (1:29) Why do the follows of Jesus feel this way? Why are they willing to suffer for Him? Paul gives four reasons in the first 2 verses of chapter 2. He writes, “ If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, make my joy full, by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;”
One of the blessings of being in Christ which Paul mentions is consolation. No one else can heal our spiritual wounds. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) Another blessing is that Christ’s love gives exhortation (NIV, encouragement). Just knowing that someone loves us can give us the strength to overcome great difficulties. A third blessing is the fellowship of the Spirit. In Jesus, we are brought into a community. We are no longer alone. We can not only share our thoughts and desires with God’s Spirit, but also with our fellow believers. A fourth blessing which the followers of Christ receive is tenderness and compassion. Not only do we experience Christ’s compassion for us, our compassion and tenderness for others is increased as well.
In view of these blessings Paul asks the people to whom he is writing to make his joy full or complete. In chapter one he had already said that he was rejoicing because the gospel was being preached and because he knew that he would be delivered from prison. His joy will not be complete, however, until he sees additional spiritual growth in the people to whom he is writing. It is not enough to merely wear the name of Christ. The followers of Christ should also be united. Paul writes that they should be like-minded, having the same love, in one accord and one in thought. How can this type of unity be achieved? In verses 3 and 4 Paul writes, “…doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.” Unity will be the natural result when the followers of Christ stop thinking about themselves and give priority to their fellow believers. In short, the followers of Christ need to become like Christ.
How can we imitate someone unless we know them? Perhaps for this reason Paul reminds us of who Jesus is and what He is like in verses 5 through 11: “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. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
In this passage we learn several important things about Jesus. One is that before coming to earth, Jesus shared God’s nature. The followers of Jesus are often accused of making Him equal with God. But this is not correct. The truth of the matter is that Jesus is one with God from the beginning. Jesus Himself said, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) Another thing which we learn about Jesus is that He gave up His position with God in order to come to earth. It can be said that in Jesus, God came down to our level. Jesus emptied Himself in order to take on the form of a human being. Jesus not only became a man, He adopted the role of a servant. He said, “…the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) With Jesus, service was not merely words, He served by giving His very life. Jesus not only served, but He humbled Himself. No one ever accused Him of being proud. Though He is a king, yet he was willing to associate with the poor and the outcasts of society. He touched the lepers and the blind and welcomed little children. He did not shrink from talking and eating with tax collectors and prostitutes. Jesus was also obedient. He never sought to do His own will, but was always concerned about doing the will of His heavenly Father. He said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38) He was willing to obey even when it meant dying a horrible death in order to fulfill God’s plan for redeeming mankind from sin. The night before He was crucified He prayed, “…Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) In order to obey God’s will, Jesus gave up the life He had with God from eternity and accepted death. If we are to be like Jesus then, we too, must serve with genuine humility and obedience as He did.
What was the result of Jesus’ obedience? Because Jesus gave His all, God not only made Him great, but made Him greater than all. Paul writes in another place, “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For, “He put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when he says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that he is excepted who subjected all things to him. When all things have been subjected to him, then the Son will also himself be subjected to him who subjected all things to him, that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:25-28)
God has not only given Jesus the highest place, but has also given Him the highest name. This highest name is ‘Lord.’ By right this name belongs only to God. God has given His own name to Jesus. Some think that by calling Jesus ‘Lord’ we take away from God’s glory. But this is not so. As Paul points out, we actually give glory to God when we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. When we call Jesus ‘Lord’ we are expressing our agreement with what God has done. When we do not acknowledge Jesus as Lord, we are disagreeing with God. All of us need to ask ourselves the question: “Have I accepted Jesus Christ my Lord?” One day every knee will bow before Jesus’ Name. It is better to freely confess Him as Lord now than to be forced to do so later.