⏱ 7 min read

• Hello Family 😊👋, I trust you’re doing well by the grace of God. We’re reading Philippians 2 today, and our reflection for today is titled “The Humble Ones.”
• You will be super blessed by this powerful word! (Do remember to share your insights and your lessons also). 
• If you’re yet to join the challenge, we strongly encourage you to join in this journey of studying the Word together. It will be a great blessing!

If there’s one word that captures the character of Jesus so completely, it is humility. Let’s listen to how Apostle Paul describes it:

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

– Philippians 2:5–8 (NKJV)

The Mindset of Christ

The mindset that characterized Jesus was none other than humility. And as believers, called into the fold of Christ, we are not only to bear His name but also to walk in His mindset. But how exactly do we cultivate this kind of humility?

Paul helps us understand by pointing to the very nature of Jesus’ humility.

1. He did not consider it robbery to be made lower
“Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God.” (Philippians 2:6)

Many people feel cheated when life doesn’t give them the best deal. They see it as robbery when they don’t get what they think they deserve.

• Pride always seeks to gain the upper hand, often at the expense of others. But humility teaches us to be content, whether we abound or are abased.

'I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. '
Philippians 4:12 NKJV

• True humility accepts life’s seasons with grace, trusting that God’s plan remains good even when we seem to have the short end of things.

2. He made Himself of no reputation
“But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:7)

In our world today, titles, jobs, and social positions often define identity more than character or love for others. Yet, the Bible says that, Jesus “made Himself of no reputation.” The Greek phrase for “he made himself of no reputation” literally means “He emptied Himself.” He did not cling to His divine privileges or worry about human opinions.

• As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same, to empty ourselves of pride, self-importance, and the constant need to uphold an image.

• Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less, so that you can truly serve others (Philippians 2:3). Jesus did not mind washing the feet of his disciples because of this very mindset of humility – he made himself of no reputation. (John 13).

3. He took the form of a bondservant

• To be humble like a servant means being willing to accept simple conditions. In any household, the servant’s quarters are far simpler than the master’s. The servant recognizes that his part will always be the basic stuff and he welcomes it with honour not being jealous about his masters. Jesus did. not

• A humble servant recognises the need for training and learning. He doesn’t think of Himself as now who knows it all but remains obedient and ever learning. This is how humility as a servant offers skill through training. Humility means being teachable, acknowledging that you do not know it all, and being willing to learn.

4. He came in the likeness of man

Humility also means recognizing your humanity.

• To be humble is to remember: “I am human”, and hence what happens to others can by all means happen to you. This understanding keeps us gentle, compassionate, and wise in our dealings.

• To be humble is a daily experience, even in simple things, such as: personal discipline, hygiene, responsibility, and respect. Being mindful of others are communicating with respect is also an expression of humility.

5. He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death.

• The call to be humble as a believer requires an active response and not a passive one. Many things in life have the power to humble man and these include; sickness, destruction, death, debt and many more. It is wise to humble yourself personally than to allow the storms of life to humble you.
• Jesus’s humility was to the point of death, showcases as kind of humility that goes to the extreme. It is not the know of humility is fades when the circumstances become unfavourable, it is one which remains even unto the point of death. Brethren, our call the humility, is a call to the true identity that defines the believer, it is the mindset of Christ.

The amazing testimony of Humility is that it rewards. Its reward may not evident right after, but in due time it surely rewards. The Bible reveals after the profound expressions of humility came Christ’s exaltation:

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

– Philippians 2:9–11 (NKJV)

The truth is that true exaltation follows humility. Many people often rush for exaltation, but neglect the precedent of humility. However, the culture of our faith to which we have been called to, demands that we walk in Humility. To this there is no alternative, for we have been called to a life of humility, of sacrifice and servant lifestyle.

For if we desire to share in the glory of the Son, we must first share in His mindset of humility. 

Hey, you're blessed and highly favoured and dearly loved! Do share your lessons from Philippians 2. Remember to tag us and your friends on:
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