Philippians 2:3-8
The Meaning of Christ-Like

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
    who, though he was in the form of God,
        did not regard equality with God
        as something to be exploited,
    but emptied himself,
        taking the form of a slave,
        being born in human likeness.
    And being found in human form,
    he humbled himself
        and became obedient to the point of death --
        even death on a cross.

New Revised Standard Version

When I was in elementary school, my teachers each year would teach us about the American Revolution, particularly the hardships faced by the colonists' army in that winter in Valley Forge. It was far too easy in the relative ease of 20th century life to forget how dearly patriots sacrificed so that our country would be free. That same message repeats each Memorial Day, and it should be repeated and remembered, for if we forget the price our forefathers paid for our freedom, we are likely to squander and lose what they gave their hearts, bodies, and lives to establish.

Of course, the price paid for the freedom of democracy is insignificant when compared to the price God paid for our salvation! It is a wonderful thing that so many have seen the movie The Passion of the Christ, and for so many to continue to talk about the significance and accuracy of the violence portrayed in the film, and the sustained popularity the movie continues to receive. Surely God's immense love for us is shown in what Jesus willingly experienced in order for us to be saved!

But that film, limited to those 12 hours, show only a tiny piece of what Jesus did for us. Paul wanted to make certain that we Christians wouldn't miss just how profound a sacrifice was made for us! He quotes in this passage a liturgy from the early church that hammers this point home: Jesus was not merely a good man, but He is the same as God; nevertheless, He emptied Himself of heaven, was born into poverty, and humbled Himself, in obedience to God, to the point of carrying our sin to a cross. We can't conceive the greatness of Jesus in heaven -- neither can we conceive the depths into which Jesus willfully lowered Himself, solely because God loves us so much!

I want to stop at this point to meditate on those unfathomable truths and contemplate the love of God and the preciousness of my salvation. I want to think of what it means that God would love me in such a profound and immeasurable way -- but Paul will not let me stop here. Paul pushes me forward to complete the holy cycle of redeeming love, when Paul tells me I am to respond with the same humility as Christ!

In other words, for God's eternal sacrifice to be alive in my life, I, too, must think the same way that Jesus thought, and I must follow God's direction to give up more and more of myself. I am not to protect myself, but give of myself instead, trusting that God will protect me within God's perfect plan. I should never forget I am a spectacularly important person to be loved so dearly by the Creator! But I should likewise consider that God loves every other person with a spectacular passion, and that my purpose is to serve those whom God loves so dearly.

Jesus taught His disciples that the first would be last, and the least would become the greatest. They must have considered this teaching to be a curious paradox -- until they saw the Son of God from heaven poured out onto Calvary. Paul reminds us this is God's standard for humility in our lives. As Christians -- literally, "little Christs" -- there is no other appropriate way for us to live but to strive for such a humility, based on the life-changing power of God's love, in all we do.