Humbled and Exalted: a Light Bearer for Christ

​Paul left us in verse one feeling a bit uneasy. If you recall, he spoke of our coming trouble, promising us that, indeed, we will have affliction in this world. How wonderful that he did not leave off there. In Philippians chapter two, Paul begins by saying “therefore,” (or rather, because of this, what I have to say next refers to the fact that we are called to suffer with Christ) if we are to have any comfort, any consolation in Christ, in love, in fellowship of the Spirit, if we can find peace in affection and mercy, we must be like-minded, sharing the same love, united in humility, as with one mind, one motive. Nothing we do should be with selfish ambition or conceit. We must be humble, thinking of others more than ourselves. (verses 1-3)

​Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

​Paul tells us we are to have the mind of Christ. So what mind does Christ have? He is equal to God, the Creator of all things, the Supreme Being who is exalted above all others. This Christ did not hesitate to lower Himself to our human form, our flawed and mortal flesh, to become a bondservant – bondservant? A slave, a person serving without payment, without reward for services rendered. Christ the Magnified became a slave in the likeness of a man. He is the epitome of humility, the most vivid example of how we should behave, to give freely of ourselves without the expectation of recognition or reward.

Yet, this humiliation was not the end of Christ’s selfless act. He went even further. Christ humbled Himself even to the point of death, and not just death, but the death of the cross.
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The cross was reserved for the most-wicked of evil doers. The Romans used this form of punishment to humiliate the convicted, exhibiting the criminal naked before the public, opening them up to ridicule, as they suffered a slow and agonizing death. This is the death that Christ allowed Himself to experience, and for what? He took our place, so that we would not have to pay the penalty for our sins, if only we accept His gift.

Selflessness. Sacrifice. Humility of Heart. This is to be Christ-minded, and this is what we are called to be. And like Christ, we will be exalted for our willingness to give freely of ourselves.

Christ, because of His humility, is exalted by God. He has been given 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.” (verse 11)
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Paul continues with another “therefore.” Since this is how we should be, selfless and humble as Christ, we are to act as we should even when we are not being observed by others. We are to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Wait – if salvation is free, why must we work out our salvation?

In other words, we are to learn the will of God in our lives ourselves. We cannot just follow blindly what others tell us to believe. The Holy Spirit is given to guide us into all knowledge and truth. We are to work through the scriptures to discover what God has to say to us. We are accountable for our own growth and development in the doctrines that guide our lives. Therefore, we are to work out our own salvation, or rather, our own walk with God.

And we are to do this with fear and trembling? Respect and reverence as is fitting for a subject to a Sovereign power. In other words, we are to be as serfs to a king, giving God our fealty, fidelity, and honor as we would the sovereign of any kingdom.
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And as we do this, remember, it is God who will work in us so that we can discern His will. Through the Holy Spirit, He will give us power to do what pleases Him. (verse 13)

​We must do everything we do without complaining and without debate. Wow! That is a tough one. But would it not be easier to do a task if we would hold our tongues and just do it? Even the most menial and difficult jobs we are required to do, we must accomplish without grumbling.

Why is this so important? Well, I know I do not like being around others that complain. How about you? But it is more than just that. Paul says we are to be cheerful in our obedience that we “may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (verse 15)

How does it speak of our relationship with Christ if we whine about everything in our lives? Is this the life others will desire? If we are depressed and complaining every day, will we shine upon a troubled world a message of Hope? Certainly not!

If we are called to be selfless, how then can we complain? Is not complaining an act of selfishness? Are we not putting ourselves before other people? Therefore, to grumble about anything is to put ourselves first, and this, as we have seen, is contrary to the doctrine of Christ.

We are to be blameless and harmless as we hold fast the word of life. As we live in this world that does not see Christ, we are to latch on and never let go Christ’s gospel message. We are to display His teachings in our lives so that others will come to see Christ in us. Don’t let discontent and strife cause you to become a stumbling block, or a hindrance, to the world. If we do not stand firm in our actions, attitudes, and thoughts, our labor for Christ will be in vain. Others will remember our failures, not the triumphs. In all things, have a heart that is patient, rejoicing as we run the race, so that we can shine our light upon a world that is lost in the dark.

Let your light shine today!

Susan Van Volkenburgh