Introduction
Christmas is the greatest picture of Humility. Most people have forgotten this. In fact, Christmas is an opportunity to feed the flesh. We indulge in every way. Even when we give, we give to feel good.
Christ is the greatest example of humility. Because of His humility we have eternal life. Humility is a mark of spirituality. If we are spiritual we will be humble. If we are a body of believers then we should be called a group of humble people. If we are all humble people, then we should be benefiting from those around us. We have much to celebrate at Christmas. We have our sins taken care of. We have a relationship with the God of heaven. We have power to live a life that is pleasing to God. We have a home in heaven that we look forward to. We have it all because Christ was so humble. Let’s look at the greatest example of humility. Our text is Philippians 2.6-8.
In these 3 verses we see humility lived out. With each evidence of humility, we should praise God.
Christ demonstrated His humility in His thoughts and in His acts.
True humility will be found in thoughts of humility and acts of humility. Worship Christ for His humility.
1. Worship Him because of His thoughts of Humility: He did not think of His own rights and privileges as something that had to be kept at all costs.
Paul makes it clear that Jesus Christ is God. He calls Him Jesus, who being in the form of God.
This statement could be confusing if not understood properly. Please understand. And, don’t merely understand this to satisfy yourself. Understand it well enough to explain it to others.
You see, many unbelievers will try to use this verse to show that Jesus Christ is not God. To say that is to deny the heart of the Christian faith. A person cannot be saved if he denies that Jesus Christ is in fact God. Because this doctrine is central to the gospel it has always been and will always be under attack. Let’s look at the verse.
First of all, look at the word “form.” We use the word “form” to refer to an outward appearance. We might use it as we use the word “looks.” If something may have many different looks or many different forms. While it is essentially the same it looks different. It comes in different forms. It’s outward appearance varies even though on the inside it is the same.
That is not at all what Paul means. To really understand what it means we will have to consider the Greek word. The word is “morphe.” Morphe, as it is used in the NT refers to an inward reality with an outward expression. The emphasis is always on the inward reality.
In 2 Corinthians 3.18, Paul says that we can be conformed to the image of Christ. The word, “conformed” is the from the same word. Paul says that we will be changed from the inside out to be like Christ.
Paul uses the word in the same way in Galatians 4.19 when he says, “My little children, I have birth pains until Christ be formed in you.” There he actually says, “in” you.
Romans 12.2 is another example. There Paul tells us to be renewed in the Spirit of your mind. Be renewed on the inside.
So, here in Philippians 2.6, Paul is saying that Jesus was internally, that is, in the inner depths was of the same essence of God. Paul could have used a different word to refer to the outer appearance as being the same as God. He uses that word, “schema” later on in this same text. The fact that he uses both words carefully gives further confirmation (even though we don’t really need it) that our understanding is correct.
Another word in the same phrase contributes more to the deity of Christ. Paul says, “who being in the form of God.” The word, “being” is important. It speaks of what Jesus is in His very essence. It is that he became God after a period of time when he was something else. He is in His very essence God. “Being” is that about a person which cannot be altered. It refers to that which someone possess that is unchangeable. Just as men have the function of the mind, the will, the emotions, etc., That is the essence of a man. Jesus Christ, is in essence, God.
Also, it is not something that he became. He is and always has been God.
So, Jesus Christ is God. That means a lot. That means He possesses a lot of rights, a lot of privileges, a lot glory. But, look at how He thought of all that.
The word in our translation is “regard.” It refers to a judgment that is based on facts. When Christ considered the facts, He was considering the rights that He had, the glory that He had, etc. “God” does not have a definite article in Greek. In Greek, when a noun does not have a definite article it emphasizes the quality of the thing rather than the identity. So, Jesus was considering not equality with God the Father, He was considering the expressions of being deity. What is it like to be God? When He considered those things, He determined that those things were not something to be grasped. Christ did not consider the expression of His divine essence something to be clutched, or held tightly to. The idea is that He said, “if I need to give it up, I will.”
This is where the rubber meets the road. It is easy when we have something to get overly possessive of it. Christ warned us of this.
