- Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if
any affection and mercy, - Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
- Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
others better than himself. - Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:7 says of Jesus, “But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” Have you ever given thought to what it must have been like for Jesus to be made in the likeness of men—and on top of that, to serve those He came to save? To find strength in times of weariness, to bear the pain of others even when their own choices brought about their suffering, and to choose kindness at the end of a long, exhausting day. These are just a few ways Jesus modeled how His followers should live.
Jesus demonstrated that true freedom is found in humility and love by continually answering the call to serve. The person who answers that call is free from the bondage of selfishness that often isolates, and even from being a slave to one’s own flesh. Selfishness is often rooted in pride and covetousness—when one’s possessions become idols of self-worth. This mindset remains in bondage to sin because its motives are entirely self-serving.
The parable of the Rich Fool in Luke 12:16-21 illustrates this perfectly. Jesus tells of a rich man whose land produced abundantly—so plentiful that his barns could not contain the excess. His solution was to tear down his barns and build bigger ones—he had enough to store for years. Believing that once his excess was stored, life would be easy and he could “eat, drink, and be merry.” But Luke 12:20 records God’s response: “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” God did not call the man a fool because he gained riches, but because his heart was not with the One who gave him life and prosperity. His motives were selfish, without consideration for the less fortunate.
Today, the word servant carries a negative connotation—in the world, a servant is seen as inferior or in subjection to those who feel superior. But those who follow Christ should view a servant as one who serves God according to His will, performing His work on earth as ambassadors of Christ Jesus. In this state of mind, motives do not carry selfish ambition: instead, the believer seeks outcomes that produce benefits for others.
Amen