In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant … Philippians 2:5-7 NIV
Relationships can be the most wonderful thing in our lives or the most painful. The mindset we have in those relationships determines to a large degree how they go. Paul urged his friends in their relationships to have the mindset of Christ. A mindset is a series of self-perceptions or beliefs people hold about themselves. These determine behavior, outlook, and mental attitude. The very first descriptor Paul uses for the mindset of Christ is that of a servant. Christ was in very nature God, but He did not allow this truth to make Him manipulative, egotistical, or demanding. On the other hand, He deliberately and willingly took on the mindset of serving.
He didn’t just “serve God,” serve “His Father” – He served people. All people. Rich and poor. Male and female. Adult and child. Godly and ungodly. Old and young. Kind and angry. The list does not stop. Jesus took on the mindset of a servant, and there was no one He would not and did not serve. Jesus illustrated with His life that serving and humility go hand in hand.
Jesus, the Son of God, God’s forever King, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, never placed Himself in a position above others. He led and loved by serving. He washed feet. He fed thousands when they were hungry. He walked thousands of miles over dusty roads to teach and heal the sick and even raise the dead. He welcomed and touched lepers. He stood for the unclean. He spent time with and served the needs of those no one else valued. Jesus lived a humble life of loving service.
But it didn’t stop there. John records that after Jesus had once again served His disciples and had even washed their feet in the style of a common servant, He said, “ I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
Paul got it. When he wrote to the early church, spelling out what it looked like to be faithful Jesus followers, he said in Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”
Do I get it? The way of Jesus is the way of loving service. To EVERYONE and ANYONE.
- Jesus, I choose to follow You in humble, loving service, whether I believe they deserve it or not.