Philippians 2:1-18 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the 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 others 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 the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
This passage speaks about the attitude Christians should have. It convicts us of our self-absorption. We may try to race past those words Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in reality, we have to admit that much of what we do in life comes from those motivating factors.
A man had his boss over for dinner. The boss kept saying, “You know, I’m a self-made man!” After the umpteenth time, the host’s six-year-old son asked, “Daddy, if he a self-made man, why did he make himself that way?” Our efforts to “make” ourselves fall short. Selfish ambition and vain conceit cause us to focus on self and not what Jesus would have us do.
The solution to being self-absorbed is to be Christ-absorbed. Let Jesus fill your heart and mind rather than your own self-centered thoughts. If Christ fills you, the sin and selfishness will be pushed out. And this is how it happens. Christ comes to you in water poured over you in the Triune name, through the written and spoken Word, through a holy meal of bread and wine, through hymns and songs of praise. Christ lived a perfect life for you. He poured out that life for you on the cross, taking your punishment. We see that and recognize how great His love is and how puny we are, especially when we are full of ourselves. But the more Christ fills us through Word and Sacraments, the less room there is for our selfish selves and the more His Spirit will shape our minds.
It doesn’t just happen, and it certainly won’t happen overnight. It is a process that is achieved by spending time with Jesus, listening to His Word, pondering the meaning of your Baptism, receiving Him in Holy Communion. The more you do this, the more you will lose your sinful self and become like Him, having His attitude. You need to be confident of who you are in Christ Jesus.
Christian Herter, former U.S. Secretary of State, was running for reelection as governor of Massachusetts. One day he arrived late at a barbecue. He had not eaten breakfast or lunch and was very hungry. As he moved down the serving line, he held out his plate and received one piece of chicken. The governor said to the serving lady, “Excuse me, do you mind if I get another piece of chicken? I’m very hungry.” “Sorry,” the lady responded. “I’m supposed to give one piece of chicken to each person.” “But I’m starving,” the governor said. She repeated, “Only one to a customer.” Herter, normally a modest man, decided it was time to pull rank and throw around the weight of his office. He said, “Madam, do you know who I am? I’m the governor of this state!” The lady replied, “And I’m the lady in charge of the chicken, so move along, mister!”
That lady’s stubbornness is noteworthy for two reasons. First of all, she knew who she was: the lady in charge of the chicken. Secondly, she knew what she was supposed to do: she diligently followed the instructions given to her. If only we were that steadfast. We need to be convinced of who we are: disciples of Jesus Christ. We have received His cleansing, His pardon, His forgiveness, and His authority. And we are to follow His instructions. We are to share His love with everyone else. We are to have His attitude. We are to live according to His instructions. If only we could be as convinced and as faithful to our calling as that chicken lady!
