Humility is so Hard!

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 2:5

So much has happened in 2020 that has brought division in our relationships. There have been varying thoughts on how to handle the pandemic with should you wear a mask, should you social distance, should you be around those who are vulnerable, how should you handle your business, should you send your kids to school; and that is just to name a few. Now we have issues on the vaccine and whether should you get it or not. Then we’ve had varying opinions on the racial distress with should you support our police force, are certain individuals being treated unfairly, and how do we make a difference. I can’t talk about division without bringing up the election. People were actually judged simply by who they voted for for in the presidential election. There were hate remarks all over social media and relationships torn apart over this topic. Through all of these issues, were we thinking only of ourselves and what makes us happy or were we thinking of others?

This is a hard devotional to write because I am guilty of selfish ambition on some of these topics. As I read Philippians 2:1-5, the words cut me like a sword; they burned deep in my gut.

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider other better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be then same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:1-5

When someone thinks differently than you do about a certain issue, what goes through your mind? Do you automatically think they are wrong and get disgusted by their words because you think your way is the perfect way? Do you argue with them? Do you decide right then and there to stay away from them? Is that showing tenderness, compassion, or love? Is that being like-minded with Jesus?

Is it our place to judge others? Jesus, the true judge, is our example on how to be humble in our relationships. Philippians 2:6-11, goes on to tell us how Jesus humbled Himself. It says that Jesus, who was God’s very character, did not consider Himself equal to God but saw Himself as nothing but a servant. He saw Himself as human, the same as everyone else on earth. He was so obedient and humble that He even submitted Himself to death on the cross. Verse 7 says that Jesus emptied himself. The Greek word for this is kenoo, and it refers to Jesus pouring Himself out. Jesus laid aside His rights as God in order to become the world’s servant. Jesus never felt like He had to show He was right with harsh and hurting words. He never gave up on a relationship with someone just because they did not think the same as He did. He chose that as an opportunity to show God’s characteristics.

If God’s people cannot live in unity, the transformative power of the gospel comes into question. In disunity, Christians do not show that they stand together as one body. We look like we are a bickering and argumentative group. That is exactly the opposite of Jesus Christ, our true example. Christians are united by the Spirit, the Greek word for this is sympschos, meaning same attitude or mind-set. We have the same mind-set which is Jesus Christ. Jesus is what ties us all together.

Can we support each other through God’s characteristics? If we say we follow Christ, then we must be willing to live like Him. I’m not asking you to give into another’s way of thinking. I’m also not asking you to go against the truths of God’s Word. I’m simply saying, before we make our judgement, think about the other persons feelings above our own. We’re capable of disagreeing without being disagreeable. We do not know everyone’s story or background. They may have a very good reason for the way they believe. It’s not our place to say they are wrong or not. We are to serve others because we love God. Verse 1 says that if we have any encouragement from Jesus, we should want to live the way He lived by valuing others above ourselves.

Certain things have happened here at the end of 2020 that have made me step back and realize others have beliefs on these issues for good reasons. My initial judgement was harsh and unkind. I’ve seen people hurting, sick, grieving, and lonely because Christians are not coming together as one. As I said earlier, this is hard, but we can simply look at the one thing that ties us together. It’s not the world and it’s opinions, it’s Jesus Christ.

Digging Deeper:

Read Philippians 2:1-18.

Are there worldly issues that make you judge others because their thoughts are different than yours? What are those issues?

What can you do to change your thoughts and actions to show tenderness, compassion, and love?

Do you have a relationship that has been damaged this year? What can you do to mend that relationship?

Ask God today to help you as you try to change your mind-set over to His.