The Same Attitude

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:3-8

MOST PARENTS, whether they are Christians or not, want their children to be unselfish, not to be out to impress others, to interact with others in humility, and to be willing to serve the needs of others. The question is: Is it possible for any of us, regardless of our connection to Christ, to genuinely and pervasively have this attitude of deep humility and servanthood?

While having this kind of mind-set is challenging to the Christian, it is impossible for the unbeliever because it comes from being united to Christ. No one can work themselves into this mind-set. It is something received in union and communion with Christ. It is something he creates in us as he begins his work in us.

There’s no point in trying to live the Christian life if you’re not united to Christ. And we simply can’t expect a child who has not yet been joined to Christ to live in obedience to him. To have the same attitude of Christ requires that we have Christ. More significantly, it requires that he has us.

Lord, how we want ________ to have the same attitude that you had —that of a humble servant, looking out for others. To have your mind-set, ________ needs you! So take ________ to yourself and make ________ more like you day by day. Implant in ________ a desire and commitment to have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.