On Monday, I mentioned something Paul said about contentment (Philippians 4:11-13). I want to follow up that thought with something the Apostle said in chapter 2 of the letter, which sort of serves as the preliminary work that must be done in order for you to be content. Listen to Paul:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

(Philippians 2:5-8)

Paul’s beautiful monologue about the self-sacrifice of Jesus was written to serve as a template for us. We are not meant just to stand at the bottom of Calvary’s hill and look up with admiration to the One who died thereon. We’re supposed to see Jesus’ death as a call to action, the first in a long line of self-sacrifices. We’re supposed to see Him on His cross and be compelled to take up our own crosses and follow Him up the hill to die with Him (Matthew 16:24). That’s why Paul says “let this mind be in you…” What was Jesus’ thought process that motivated His death on the cross? It was one of humility. Have the same humble mind, even to the point of death, Paul says.

That means emptying yourself.

Insisting upon your own way, demanding you get what you want, and fighting to achieve your goals at others’ expense is not the Christian way. How full of yourself are you? Jesus was completely empty of self. He totally gave up His own ambitions and desires to die for the world. Some people are completely full of themselves, willing to push anyone aside, shove anyone down, or step over (or on top of) anyone necessary to get ahead. We can look at such people and say “clearly, they don’t understand Christianity.” And yet, I think many Christians are content being “mostly empty;” they are somewhat sacrificial and helpful, mostly generous and kind, but still retain a little bit of that “what’s in it for me” mentality.

It’s hard to break that.

Paul’s words in Philippians 2 are meant to challenge us, to strive to be better, to give more, help more, and surrender more. We cannot be half-full. We cannot be half-empty. We cannot have even a drop of ourselves remaining. We must empty ourselves, putting others’ interests ahead of our own (Philippians 2:3-4). It’s not easily done. I know I struggle with it the same as you, but that’s the goal. That’s the calling. That’s what it is to be CHRISTian.

None of self and all of Thee, God.

None of self and all of thee, everybody else.

~Matthew