Have This Mind

Now, before we delve into our text for this morning, I would like to

briefly survey the concept of humility as a whole as it appears in Scripture,

examine in what circumstance Paul is writing to Philippi (as well as what he is commending to them),

consider Paul’s letter to Philemon as its pertains to this subject,

and finally, look at a few ways this ought to inform your everyday life.

Humility is perhaps one of the most important, pervasive, and emphasized subjects not only in Scripture, but also in Christian literature, and even non-Christian literature about Christianity. There are few attributes that more clearly demonstrate the nature of Christ’s character, and reveal His mercy and grace to sinners. In fact, I would suggest that if anyone does not posses this essential quality, you might well ought to question the authenticity of their claiming the name of Christ over themselves. You see, humility is not so much a particular action or series of actions one takes or fails to take; rather, it is an attitude, a worldview, I daresay. From the moment you wake up in the morning to the moment that you lay your head down to sleep at night, you are either viewing and experiencing your life in a humble way, or you are viewing and experiencing life with a lack of humility. As we will go on to see in Scripture, lack of humility is not merely neutral behavior. Rather, Jesus Himself preaches that those who, as a style of life, go about their days in a self-centered, haughty fashion will ultimately not be in danger of losing their reward, but rather they will be in danger of Hell itself. Let us examine the teaching of our Lord Himself on this matter.

Turn with me to . Let us read it together.

Matthew 5:1–12 ESV

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.-12. Let us read it together.

Here we see Jesus beginning one of the most ubiquitous sermons in His public ministry: the Sermon on the Mount. Specifically, He is teaching the Beatitudes; a sort of “code of ethics” for the Kingdom of God. Jesus is describing what ought to be the inward motives and outward conduct of His disciples. (I do indeed recommend that everyone ought to memorize this most precious passage of Scripture, for it is very profitable.) Now, we won’t spend too much time here so that we can return to our main text, but let us make some observations that would have undergirded the Apostle Paul’s understanding of humility. Who does Jesus say are blessed in this passage?

The poor in spirit,

those who mourn,

the meek,

those who hunger and thirst,

the merciful,

the pure in heart,

the peacemakers,

those who are persecuted for righteousness sake,

and those who are reviled and persecuted on the account of bearing witness to Jesus.

Now, I hope that you are able to see the pattern here: all of these types of people that Jesus says are blessed are lowly types of people. These are people not gallivanting around saying “look at me, look at me, look at me!” Rather we see the theme of poverty, meekness, and, you guessed it, humility. In fact, if we look at the word that is translated “meek,” it carries with it also the meaning “humble,” or “afflicted.” (especially in the Greek Septuagint) Therefore, it is important to note also that when Jesus says these people are “blessed,” He is not saying this in a sense that might mean that they are only emotionally blessed, or that they simply have a sunnier outlook on life. He is using this phrase in the same way that it was used in the first Psalm.

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“Blessed” here ought to be taken to also be a description of their spiritual state, namely having intimacy with God and being spiritually healthy. This raises an important point that we will address in a moment, but for now let’s remember this: in the Beatitudes Jesus is teaching that the humble are blessed by God, emotionally and spiritually, and that humility is placed in close relationship to robust spirituality by Jesus.

Now then, let us turn back to

English Standard Version Chapter 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.