Philippians 2:1-30
Imitating Jesus' Humility
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Do Everything Without Grumbling
12 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, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 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. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
Timothy and Epaphroditus
19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
The Apostle Paul passionately implores the early believers to cultivate unity and humility within their community, rooting his appeal in the very character and actions of Jesus Christ...Paul wants was best we can, to imitate Jesus and His actions and deeds...His opening lines, filled with exhortations stemming from their union with Christ, the comfort of His LOVE, their shared participation in the Spirit, and the tenderness and compassion they have experienced, lay the groundwork for his central command: to be like-minded, sharing the same love, united in spirit and purpose...Paul, in wanting others to be more like Jesus, urges them to move beyond their own selfish ambition and vain conceit, instead prioritizing humility and valuing others above themselves, a radical departure from the self-centered tendencies of human nature...This call to selfless consideration and genuine concern for the interests of others forms the practical outworking of their faith, demonstrating the transformative power of their relationship with Christ in their interpersonal dynamics...It is within this context of striving for unity and selfless love that Paul then directs their gaze to the ultimate example: the Mindset and being more like Jesus...
Even within Paul's writings about his trusted colleagues, Timothy and Epaphroditus, we see practical examples that underscore the theme of being more like Jesus...Paul highlights Timothy's genuine concern for the Philippians' welfare, noting that he has "no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for their welfare...For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ."...This contrast emphasizes the rarity and value of someone who prioritizes the needs of others above their own, a direct reflection of Christ's selfless LOVE and humility...Similarly, Epaphroditus's willingness to risk his life "for the work of Christ" to minister to Paul's needs exemplifies the sacrificial LOVE that Jesus Himself demonstrated...These individuals, in their selfless service and genuine care for others, embody the "mindset and are being more like Christ Jesus" that Paul urged the Philippians to adopt earlier in the chapter...Their actions serve as tangible illustrations of what it means to be those "little Christs," reflecting Christ's LOVE and dedication in their commitment to the gospel and to their fellow believers...
C.S. Lewis's statement, "We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character," encapsulates a central tenet of Christian theology: the ongoing transformative work of God in the lives of believers...This isn't a passive process but an active shaping, a divine artistry aimed at molding us into a specific likeness as we journey through the years of our lives...Several New Testament verses lend strong support to Lewis' thinking of this concept of lifelong spiritual formation...
Expanding on this idea of our lifelong journey with God, C.S. Lewis is noted for writing that "the Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs."...This potent image aligns directly with the Apostle Paul's frequent exhortations for believers to imitate Jesus...In Ephesians 5:1-2, Paul urges, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children...And walk in love, as Christ LOVED us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."...
Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, he boldly declares, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." These calls to imitation underscore the active role we play in this divine crafting. It's not merely a passive reception of God's work, but a conscious effort to align our thoughts, actions, and attitudes with those of Jesus. This lifelong process, nurtured within the community of the Church, is about progressively embodying the character of Christ, becoming living reflections of His love and truth in the world. Just as an artist meticulously works on their masterpiece, God, through the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of believers, continues to shape us into these "little Christs" until we reach the fullness of His intended design.
One foundational verse is Romans 8:29: "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters." ...This verse clearly articulates God's ultimate goal for believers: conformity to the character of Jesus Christ...Lewis's "certain character" directly aligns with this Divine Intention...The process of becoming like Christ is not instantaneous but a lifelong journey of growth, sanctification, and transformation, echoing the continuous nature of an artist refining their masterpiece...
Philippians 1:6 further reinforces this idea: "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."...Paul expresses his unwavering belief that God, the initiator of our faith journey, will faithfully continue His work within us until its final culmination at Christ's return...This verse underscores the ongoing nature of God's involvement, implying a continuous process of molding and shaping, much like an Artist persistently working on their creation until it reaches its intended form...Lewis's assertion that God "will not be satisfied until it has a certain character" finds resonance here, as it highlights God's purposeful and persistent engagement in our lives...
Another crucial passage is 2 Corinthians 3:18: "And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the LORD’s glory, are being transformed into His Image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the LORD, who is the Spirit."...This verse speaks directly to the transformative power of beholding God's glory...As we fix our gaze on Christ, we are progressively changed into His likeness by the Holy Spirit...The phrase "with ever-increasing glory" suggests a continuous and dynamic process of spiritual growth, a gradual unveiling of the Divine Image within us...This aligns with Lewis's idea of God actively "making" us, implying an ongoing process of refinement and development...
Furthermore, Ephesians 4:11-13 describes the equipping of the Saints "for the work of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."...This passage highlights the various means God employs – apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers – to nurture and develop believers towards spiritual maturity and Christ-likeness...The ultimate aim is to reach "the whole measure of the fullness of Christ," again echoing Lewis's concept of a "certain character" that God is working towards in us...This building up and maturing is not a one-time event but a continuous process within the context of the Christian community...
Finally, 1 Peter 5:10 offers encouragement amidst trials: "And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."...This verse reminds us that even in the midst of difficulties, God's ultimate purpose is our restoration and strengthening, leading towards His eternal glory...The process of becoming the "Divine work of art" that Lewis describes often involves trials and refining, much like the shaping of clay or the chiseling of stone...God uses these experiences to mold us into a more resilient and Christ-like character...
In conclusion, Lewis's powerful analogy of believers as a "Divine work of art" being continuously shaped by God finds strong support in numerous New Testament verses...Romans 8:29 outlines the ultimate goal of conformity to Christ, Philippians 1:6 assures us of God's ongoing work until completion, 2 Corinthians 3:18 describes the transformative power of beholding God's glory, Ephesians 4:11-13 emphasizes the equipping for maturity in Christ, and 1 Peter 5:10 highlights God's restorative work even through suffering...Together, these verses paint a picture of a God actively and intentionally involved in the lifelong process of molding us into the "certain character" that reflects His Son, a masterpiece in progress until its final unveiling in glory...