Humility Hurts

"Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped" (Phil. 2:6).

Paul writes here about Christ's supreme example of humility (Phil. 2:5-8), and how we are to follow that example to attain church unity (see v. 5). Christ was "in the form of God," Paul writes. Christ was fully and completely God, and Christ was fully and completely man. It's a divine mystery, but without it, Christianity is dead and useless.

Even though Christ was in the highest possible position (He was God), He didn't cling to His very rights as God as something to His own personal advantage. The point of the verse is this: If Christ chose to take on flesh, then there would have to be a descent of some sort. He would have to subject Himself to our weaknesses, struggles, and limitations. The Creator takes on the form of the created. The Infinite becomes the finite. Jesus was "in every respect tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15).

We too (as believers) are in a great position. We who are in Christ are saved by God's grace (Eph. 2:8-9), God loved us before time (Eph. 1:4), God purchased our salvation (1 Cor. 6:20), and the list goes on and on.

You see, when Jesus left heaven to take on flesh and be born as a babe, His position of being God did not change. He just took upon Himself our weaknesses and struggles. And we are not commanded to leave our position as God's children; indeed, we cannot for we are secure in His hands. But we are to live humbly and "count others more significant than ourselves," and when we do that, often times it will hurt. Sometimes, it hurts to live in humility.

Christ made the ultimate sacrifice and demonstrated supreme humility. What sacrifices will you make today to demonstrate Christ-like humility?

Bro. Brandon