In Philippians 2:1-11 Paul speaks of the humility of Christ and tells us that we should do nothing “through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves”(vs. 3). We are to have the mind of Christ (vs. 5) which produces a life of humility, obedience, and sacrifice. There is no likeness of Christ without these things.
We sometimes sing, “To be like Jesus”, and that indeed should be our prayer, but do we really mean it? Do we have a genuine desire to be like the Son of God? In everything? Really? Perhaps it would do us good to reflect on these words from Charles Spurgeon:
“Never was there a poorer man than Christ; he was the prince of poverty. He was the reverse of Croessus—he might be on the top of the hill of riches, Christ stood in the lowest vale of poverty. Look at his dress, it is woven from the top throughout, the garment of the poor! As for his food, he oftentimes did hunger; and always was dependent upon the charity of others for the relief of his wants! He who scattered the harvest o’er the broad acres of the world, had not sometimes wherewithal to stay the pangs of hunger? He who digged the springs of the ocean, sat upon a well and said to a Samaritan woman, ‘Give me to drink’ (John 4:7). He rode in no chariot, he walked in his weary way, foot sore, o’er the flints of Galilee! He had not where to lay his head. He looked upon the fox as it hurried to its resting-place, and he said, ‘Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but I, the Son of man, have not where to lay my head.’ He who had once been waited on by angels, becomes the servant of servants, takes a towel, girds himself, and washes his disciples’ feet! He who was once honored with the hallelujahs of ages, is now spit upon and despised! He who was loved by his Father, and had abundance of wealth of affection, could say, ‘He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me’ (John 13:18). Oh, for words to picture the humility of Christ.”
O how careful we should be when we speak of anything near His likeness. Only pride would ever prompt us to do so, and He never had any of that!
