The Attitde of Christ Jesus

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5 NASV).

The first eleven verses of Philippians two have two great lessons for us; 1) they teach us to have a Christian attitude and 2) they set forth Christ as our model. While some translations say “mind” the NASV says “attitude” – “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” An attitude is a “settled way of thinking or feeling” (Oxford) hence, the only way one can have Christ’s attitude is to think as He thinks. And that‘s what this text is all about.

Philippians 2:1-11 “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although he existed in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in the appearance of a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

In this text we have both a description of the Christian attitude (vs. 1- 4) and the source of the Christian attitude (vs. 5-11)—what is it and where it comes from. (The following are not just lines to be read but truths to be mastered. Practice them!

1. This is the Christian attitude (1-5)
Encourage one another in Christ.
Console one another in love.
Fellowship one another in the Spirit.
Show affection and compassion for one another in life.
Be of the same mind with one another.
Share your joy with one another.
Maintain unity of purpose with one another.
Hold one another in high regard.
Look after one another.
Cultivate a Christ-like attitude in one another.

2. This is the source of the Christian attitude is (6-11)
Jesus emptied Himself and took the form of a man, a servant, and submitted to death for us.
God highly exalted Him above all.
Everyone must confess Him as Lord to the glory to God.

As humans we are inclined toward evil, and will gravitate toward evil unless we guard our minds and watch our attitudes. We cannot see in ourselves the badness we see in others. We compare ourselves with others and feel rather proud that we are better than they. But as judges, when we judge others, we pass sentences on ourselves. Paul puts it this way: “You are without excuse, every man of you who passes judgment, for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same thing” (Rom. 2:1). We should rather compare ourselves with our Lord and fall on our faces in humility and penitence, confessing that we have failed to have the attitude of Christ. But we are going to do better, aren’t we?