Philippians 2 - Jesus Chose to Come To Earth For You!

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There are many memorable verses in Philippians 2. Philippians 2:6-11 is the best description of Jesus both as a human and as God. Paul's description of Jesus in these verses is the gold standard for how we regard his humanity, and the choices he made to become one of us. 

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. - Philippians 2:3-4

What a great definition humility! Do nothing out of selfish ambition but consider others as better than yourselves. Wow! This is very counter cultural in today's world. Society tells us to look out for number one", or no one else will. Humility is focusing on others and putting their interests above our own. This is a sure cure for the narcissistic tendencies that we all have. If we spent more time thinking about others interests, we probably would have a lot less anxiety about ourselves. 

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5

How we treat others begins with a mindset. If we look down on them, we will have a certain mindset that will determine how we treat them. But if take a cue from Jesus, we will start out seeing people the way he would if he were us. 

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, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 2:6-8

This shows us that Jesus was God. His very nature was that He was equal with God. But Jesus also had a choice. Jesus chose not only to become one of us, he chose to become a servant. The word for this also is translated "slave". It is someone who gave up all their rights. Jesus went from being God to becoming a slave. And as a slave he was obedient even unto death on a cross. 

It is almost not possible to imagine how great a descent Jesus made from heaven to earth. How could one who was God not only just become a man, but a man who gave up everything and died an innocent death on the cross. The only thing that could have motivated Jesus to do something like this was his love for us. Jesus obviously was not obligated to do this. He did it on his own accord and willingly. 

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11

Jesus went from the highest place to the lowest place and then back up to the highest place. Jesus was obedient to God and therefore one day every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Though not everyone recognized Jesus when he came to earth and died for them on the cross, one day everyone will see Jesus for who He is and confess Him as Lord. 

Though people do all sorts of bad things in Jesus' name like using his name as a curse word, or reject him altogether.  One day Jesus' true identity will be revealed to all people. In the meantime, he has given everyone the chance to believe in him now. We accept Jesus not only as our Savior, but also as our Lord. To often Christianity has been about accepting Jesus so one can get to heaven, but then continuing to be lord of our own lives. We have forgotten the cost of discipleship. We have forgotten that when Jesus called us, he called us to lay down our lives, pick up our cross, and follow him. 

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. 2:12-13

What I just said is picked up in verse 12 when Paul says, "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling". I don't think he is saying that we always need to be afraid of whether we are saved or not. He is saying we should not take what Jesus did for us lightly. 

God begins the work of salvation in us the day we are saved, but it is only the beginning of our journey as a Christian. Each day as we work out our salvation, we become more and more like the person God created us to be. We begin to look more and more like our Savior. We develop his humility and begin to think of others as better than ourselves. 

The Good News is that God is working in us to fulfill this purpose. We don't have to engineer this process by our own human effort. The Holy Spirit is at work in us helping us to be the person God wants us to be, and do the things he wants us to do. God even helps us to will this. There is nothing God asks us to do that he doesn't empower us to do. 

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

We see Timothy was a model of all the things Paul had just talked about. Timothy had become more like Paul and thus like Christ, as he followed him and did ministry with him. Now Timothy would be able to mentor other believers in Philippi. This is how Christianity is passed on, one person at a time. All of us should have someone more mature than us who we are learning to be more like. And someone who is less mature than us who we are mentoring and being an example for. 

One on one discipleship was Jesus' preferred method of discipleship and it should be for us as well!