In this wonderful passage, we have a summary of all the most precious truths that cluster around the person of the blessed Son of God. First, there is His majestic Deity: “In the form of God… equal with God.” Then comes the mystery of His incarnation in that word of deep and inexhaustible meaning: “He made Himself of no reputation.” The atonement follows with the humiliation, obedience, suffering, and death from which it derives its worth: “He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” And all is crowned by His glorious exaltation: “God also hath highly exalted Him” (Phil. 2:9). Christ as God, Christ becoming man, Christ as man in humiliation working out our redemption, and Christ in glory as Lord of all: such are the treasures of wisdom this passage contains.
Much has been written on these words. And yet, sufficient attention has not always been given to the connection in which the Holy Spirit gives this wondrous teaching. Its primary importance is not as a statement of truth for the refutation of error, or the strengthening of faith. The object is a very different one. There was still pride and lack of love among the Philippians. It is with the distinct view of setting Christ’s example before them, and teaching them to humble themselves as He did, that this portion of Scripture was given: “In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves… Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
He who does not study this portion of God’s Word with the wish to become lowly as Christ was, has never used it for the one great purpose for which God gave it. Christ descending from the throne of God, and seeking His way back there as man through the humiliation of the cross, reveals the only way by which we can ever reach that throne. The faith which, with His atonement, also accepts His example is alone true faith. Each soul that truly wants to belong to Him must have His Spirit, His disposition, and His image in union with Him.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God… made Himself of no reputation, and… as man humbled Himself.” We must be like Christ in His self-emptying and self-humiliation. The first great act of self-denial, in which as God He emptied Himself of His divine glory and power and laid it aside, was followed by the no less wondrous humbling of Himself as man – the death of the cross. And in this amazing, twofold humiliation, the astonishment of the universe and the delight of the Father, Holy Scripture very simply says that we must, as a matter of course, be like Christ.
And do Paul, the Scriptures, and God really expect this of us? Why not? Or rather, how can they expect anything else? Indeed, they know the fearful power of pride and the old Adam in our nature. But, they know also that Christ has redeemed us not only from the curse but from the power of sin, and that He gives us His resurrection life and power to enable us to live as He did on earth. They say that He is not only our Surety, but our Example as well. We not only live through Him, but like Him. And further, not only is He our Example, but also our Head who lives in us, and continues in us the life He once led on earth. With such a Christ, and such a plan of redemption, can it be otherwise? The follower of Christ must have the same mind as was in Christ. He must especially be like Him in His humility.
Christ’s example teaches us that it is not sin that must humble us. This is what many Christians think. They consider daily falls to be necessary in order to remain humble. This is not so. There is indeed a humility that is very lovely, and of such great value as the beginning of something more, which consists in the acknowledgement of transgression and shortcomings. But, there is a humility which is more heavenly still, and which consists, even when grace keeps us from sinning, in the self-abasement that can only wonder that God should bless us. It delights to be as nothing before Him to whom we owe all.
It is grace we need, and not sin, to make and keep us humble. The heaviest laden branches always bow the lowest. The greatest flow of water makes the deepest riverbed. The nearer the soul comes to God, the more His majestic presence makes it feel its smallness. It is this alone that makes it possible for each Christian to esteem others better than himself. Jesus Christ, the Holy One of God, is our example of humility. It was because He knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from God and went to God, that He washed the disciples’ feet. It is the divine presence, the consciousness of the divine life and the divine love in us, that will make us humble.
To many Christians, it appears impossible to say: “I will not think of self; I will esteem others better than myself.” They ask grace to overcome the worst outbursts of pride and vainglory, but an entire self-renunciation, such as Christ’s, is too difficult an too high for them. If they only understood the deep truth and blessedness of the word, “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Lk. 14:11); and: “He who loses his life for My sake shall find it” (Mt. 16:25), they would not be satisfied with anything less than entire conformity to their Lord in this. And, they would find that there is a way to overcome self and self-exaltation. There is a way to see it nailed to Christ’s cross, and there keep it crucified continually through the Spirit (see Gal. 5:24; Rom. 8:13). Only he who heartily yields himself to live in the fellowship of Christ’s death can grow to such humility.
To attain this, two things are necessary. The first is a fixed purpose an surrender to be nothing and seeking nothing for oneself, but to live only for God and our neighbour. The other is the faith which appropriates the power of Christ’s death as being our death to sin and our deliverance from its power. This fellowship of Christ’s death brings an end to the life in which sin is too strong for us. It is the commencement of a life in us in which Christ is too strong for sin.
It is only under the teaching and powerful working of the Holy Spirit that one can realise, accept, and keep hold of this truth. Oh, that we may fully trust ourselves to His guidance. He will guide us; it is His work. He will glorify Christ in us. He will teach us to understand that we are dead to sin and the old self, that Christ’s life and humility are ours.
Thus Christ’s humility is appropriated in faith. This may take place at once. But, the appropriation in experience is gradual. Our thoughts and feelings, our very manners and conversation, have been so long under the domination of the old self, that it takes time to saturate and permeate and transfigure them with the heavenly light of Christ’s humility. At first, the conscience is not perfectly enlightened, the spiritual taste and the power of discernment have not yet been exercised. But with each believing renewal of the consecration in the depth of the soul: “I have surrendered myself to be humble like Jesus,” power will go out from Him. It will fill the whole being, until in face, voice, and action the sanctification of the Spirit will be observable, and the Christian will truly be clothed with humility.
The blessedness of a Christlike humility is unspeakable. It is of great worth in the sight of God: “He giveth grace unto the humble” (Jas. 4:6). In the spiritual life, it is the source of rest and joy. To the humble, all that God does is right and good. Humility is always ready to praise God for the least of His mercies. Humility does not find it difficult to trust. It submits unconditionally to all that God says. The two people in the Bible whom Jesus praises for their great faith are those who thought least of themselves. The centurion said, “I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof” (Mt. 8:8). The Syro-phoenician woman was content to be numbered with the dogs (Mt. 15:25-28). In fellowship with men, it is the secret of blessing and love. The humble man does not take offence, and is very careful not to give it. He is always ready to serve his neighbour, because he has learned from Jesus the divine beauty of being a servant. He finds favour with God and man.
Oh, what a glorious calling for the followers of Christ! To be sent into the world by God to prove that there is nothing more divine than self-humiliation. The humble glorifies God, leads others to glorify Him, and he will at last be glorified with Him. Who would not want to be humble like Jesus?
Prayer: “O Lord, You descended from heaven, and humbled Yourself to the death of the cross. You call me to take Your humility as the law of my life. Lord, teach me to understand the absolute need of this. I cannot and may not be a proud follower of the humble Jesus. In the secrecy of my heart, my closet, in my house, in the presence of friends or enemies, and in prosperity or adversity, I want to be filled with Your humility. O my beloved Lord, I feel the need of a new and deeper insight into Your crucifixion, and my part in it. Reveal to me how my old proud self is crucified with You. Show me in the light of Your Spirit how I, God’s regenerate child, am dead to sin and its power, and how, in communion with You, sin is powerless. Lord Jesus, who has conquered sin, strengthen in me the faith that You are my life, and You will fill me with Your humility if I will submit to be filled with Yourself and the Holy Spirit. Lord, my hope is in You. In faith in You, I go into the world to show how the same mind that was in You is also in Your children, and teaches us in lowliness of mind each to esteem others better than ourselves. May God help us. Amen.”