Together in Christ: 'The Upside Down Ethic' — Philippians 2:2-4

Today's verses are built upon the self-emptying love of Christ that led Him to come to earth and give Himself for each of us. ^[1] Jesus gave up His rights. He refused to cling to His status and position to protect His place in the world and save His dignity. He emptied Himself and served. He refused the protection of heaven that could have been His by right and suffered a gruesome death as a mortal. ^[2] Then, God raised Him and honored Him.

Jesus is our example of the attitude we must have as we live our lives. He is the resurrected and coming Lord Whose example reminds us that worldly glory and honor here are fleeting, but a day of heavenly glory is coming for us. Our Lord has shown us how to treat each other and what to value as important in life. Jesus taught us these things in what we call the Beatitudes. ^[3] Paul reminded us that Jesus demonstrated them in His life and now calls us to follow Him in putting them into daily practice in our lives. Paul's words don't need an explanation; we just need to live them in our relationships. So, let's reread them, and as Jesus' half-brother James reminded us, we need to put them into practice and not just hear or just read them: ^[4]

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

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.