The mind of Christ
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”Philippians 2:5-7
Reflection
Paul presents here the supreme example of humility, and the contrast he draws is impressive. Jesus was "in the form of God" — He possessed all glory, all power, all right to be served. And yet, He "made himself of no reputation, taking upon him the form of a servant". Jesus’ path was from top to bottom: He descended from the throne to the manger, from glory to the feeding trough, from the place of Lord to the place of servant, and finally to the death of the cross. It is the opposite movement to what we naturally seek. We want to go up; Jesus went down. We seek to be served; He came to serve. We cling to our rights; He gave up His.
Notice what opens the verse: "let this MIND be in you which was also in Christ". Paul is not merely telling a beautiful story about Jesus; he is calling us to IMITATE that mindset. The humility of Christ is not only to be admired from afar — it is to be reproduced in daily life. And the context shows why Paul brought this example: the church of Philippi had conflicts, rivalries, people seeking their own interests (v. 3-4). The remedy Paul prescribes for disunity is not a conflict-management technique, but a change of heart: to think as Jesus thought, placing others ahead of oneself.
The key word is "made himself of no reputation" (emptied Himself). Jesus, having everything, chose to give up — not because He was forced, but out of love. And there lies the heart of true humility: it is not having a low opinion of oneself, nor lowering oneself out of insecurity; it is having such security in who one is that one can give up one’s own rights out of love for others. Jesus knew exactly who He was ("being in the form of God") and precisely because of that could empty Himself without fear. Humility is not born of thinking we are worthless; it is born of being so secure in our worth in God that we do not need to prove anything to anyone.
This confronts our culture head-on, which exalts self-promotion, the tireless defense of one’s own rights and "me first". Jesus shows a radically different path: that of voluntary descent, of service, of self-emptying out of love. And most beautiful is the outcome of the passage — after descending to the death of the cross, "God also hath highly exalted him" (v. 9). In God’s Kingdom, the way up passes through the bottom; whoever humbles himself is exalted. Today, instead of seeking to be served, recognized and to have your rights guaranteed, try the "mind of Christ": empty yourself a little, serve someone, place the other’s interest ahead of yours. It is not weakness — it is the strength most like Jesus there is.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You who were God emptied Yourself, took the form of a servant and descended out of love for me. Forgive me when I only seek to go up, to be served and to defend my rights. Form in me the same mind that was in You: the humility of one who, secure in his own worth, can empty himself and serve. Teach me to descend out of love, as You descended. Amen.
Put it into practice
Practice today the "mind of Christ" in a concrete gesture of humility: give up a right of yours out of love for someone, serve without being noticed, or place another person’s interest ahead of yours in a real situation. Descend voluntarily, as Jesus descended.
To reflect on
Where have you sought to go up, to be served or to defend your rights — when Jesus calls you to "empty yourself" and serve out of love?
Bible text: King James Version (public domain).