In Philippians, chapter two, Paul comments on the remarkable example of our Lord. “Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (2:6-8).
Jesus was in the “form of God.” Before His incarnation, He was in an exalted state. The word “form” should be understood as a state of deity. In other words, Jesus was fully God. With this the apostle John is in full agreement. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
However, Paul states that in coming to earth, Jesus humbled Himself. He did this by taking the form of a bondservant. Here, the word “form” is the same as when referring to His deity. In every sense of the term, Jesus became human. To deny this is to occupy the spirit of antichrist. “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world” (1 John 4:2-3).
Consider the humbling of Jesus. In His exalted state, as God, He enjoyed equality with the Father. However, this equality and standing was something that He was willing to sacrifice in order to benefit mankind. This sacrifice on His part included not only becoming fully human, but also suffering an ignominious death on the cross. “He humbled Himself.”
The motivation for His action was selflessness. When He considered the needs of man, He was willing to sacrifice Himself for their good. So, in our text, which is the basis for Paul’s exhortation to unity, a truth is established. Selflessness leads one to humble oneself, which in turn leads to unity. How does this work?
Consider the example of Jesus Christ. In His incarnation (a selfless act), He was looking out for our interests. He did not receive benefit as a consequence of what He did. He came, He was rejected, He suffered, He died. We benefitted from His sacrifice, not Him. “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
If we take that example, and live our lives similarly, unity is a natural consequence. Jesus and His Father were unified because Jesus came “not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me…” 40, “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:38,40).
If we are willing to humble ourselves, we too will do the will of the Father. This alone will lead us to “all speak the same thing” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:10), as the same thing is “the faith once for all delivered to the saints” (cf. Jude 3).
Further, such a selfless humility leads us to “look out… for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). If humility is present, there will be no occasion for division.
Division happens for one reason — willfulness. While men rationalize and excuse disobedience by using phrases like “sincerely mistaken”, “doctrinal diversity”, and “lack of biblical clarity” – God calls it rebellion. “They did not keep the covenant of God; they refused to walk in His law” (Psalm 78:10). Paul persecuted Christians before his conversion. He said that he did it out of ignorance. Yet, he rightly described himself as “an insolent man” (cf. 1 Timothy 1:13). Interestingly, the Greek word for insolent is the word from which we get the term hubris. Paul was willing to blaspheme and persecute Christians because he was uplifted by pride. He was an arrogant Pharisee. Puffed up before God by his ignorance of God’s will.
Even in insignificant matters, pride brings division. The cliché of churches dividing over the color of the carpet or the thermostat setting is as common as it is disheartening. These things ought not to be. They are avoidable if we are willing to humble ourselves before our brethren.
Consider Philippians 2:1-4, “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.”
If division exists, sin is present. It may be that both sides are guilty, it may be only one side is fomenting strife. But division is not a guiltless state. Humility is our safeguard, protecting us by extending our focus beyond ourselves. We no longer are impelled by our own wants and desires. The humble will seek what is best for all.
“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:16-18).
