If Any Fellowship... - Philippians 2:5-8

 

📖 Scripture:
“If any fellowship with the Spirit... Do nothing out of selfish ambition of conceit, but in humility, consider others more important than yourselves... Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.”
– Philippians 2:1–8

🔎 Examination:
This isn’t a suggestion. It’s a command. “Let this mind be in you.” Not just for the super-spiritual. Not just for pastors or missionaries. This is the bare minimum for anyone who claims to belong to Christ. The “mind” here isn’t about what you feel or think—it’s about how you live. It’s your default operating system and setting. If anyone is truly in Christ, this is the new normal.

Paul doesn’t tell us to try harder at being morally upright sinners. He points straight to Jesus. King Jesus was fully God, but He didn’t hold onto His divine entitlements. He emptied Himself—not by losing His divinity, but by adding humanity. He became more than a servant... He became a slave. He stepped into our mess... the one we created in REJECTING Him! He chose suffering for our sake! He didn’t have to, but He did. That’s the standard.

Look at the direction of Jesus’ life in contrast to Jonah. God told Jonah, “Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.” Jonah, however, got up to flee to Tarshish, away from the presence of the LORD... Jonah went DOWN to Joppa and found a ship bound for Tarshish... Jonah had gone DOWN to the lowest part of the vessel, where he lay DOWN and fell into a deep sleep. Downward, yes, but in selfishness and rebellion. 

Then look at the Son of God... “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent Me.” Jesus going down into the waters of the Jordan, baptized by John to identify with sinful and hopelessly depraved humanity... The crucified LORD going down into the grave after His crucifixion and death. From glory to humility. From the throne to a slave’s job. From life to death. And not just any death—the cross. The most brutal, shameful way to die. That’s what God’s character looks like.

That’s the hupogrammos, the blueprint for every born-again, faithful follower of Christ. If not, then we are bearing His name in emptiness.

This smashes our natural instinct of self-preservation. We want comfort, recognition, and validation... Even in the church! People selfishly chasing status, power, and applause. But the mind of Christ runs in the other direction. It’s not about you and me being in the spotlight. It’s about glorifying Christ Jesus, no matter the cost. It’s about laying our lives down for others... not in passivity, but for the GOSPEL.

Scripture reveals that if we have any real fellowship with the Holy Spirit, this mindset, the mindset of Christ, will be evident. Not perfectly, but it’ll be there in increasing measure. Paul doesn’t leave room for pseudo-Christianity that’s ripe with selfish ambition. He says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride.” If you’re chasing your own agenda, you’re not just off by a smidgey-pooh—you’re completely out of step with God. That’s a breach in fellowship.

Let’s not get humility twisted around. It’s not being a doormat. It’s not insecurity or fake modesty. Real humility is active. It’s choosing to give ourselves away because we know who we are in Christ. If anyone truly belongs to Christ Jesus, we don’t have to fight for our own interests and opinions. We aren't spent for social justice and political propaganda. We pour ourselves out for others IN THE CHURCH, because our lives are locked up, safe & secure, with Christ.

This isn’t religious theory. Humility ACTUALLY shows up in the real lives of real saints—as the ministry of the Gospel. King Jesus didn’t just show us humility; His humility accomplished something supernatural! He saved us. If we’re in Him, we’re ALL called to the same mission (see Acts 1:8). To have the mind of Christ means we live to praise and proclaim Him, no matter the cost, because there is no other name under heaven by which anyone can be saved.

This absolutely ANNIHILATES the myth of comfortable, complacent, prosperity gospel Christianity. If life is built around cowardice, convenience, comfort, or exerting the minimum effort, that isn't following Jesus. Worship isn’t us golf clapping in appreciation of King Jesus' humility and sacrifice—it’s lived out in Spirit and Truth.

🤺 Action:

• Check your mindset. Are you actually setting your mind on things above, or are you just living for yourself? Is your life shaped by Christ’s self-giving, or are you still running on self-interest?
• Test yourself for selfish ambition. Where are you chasing recognition, control, or personal gain? Where are you trying to make a name for yourself instead of making much of Jesus?
• Go after real humility. Are you actually putting others’ ahead of your own comfort, or are you just playing at it?
• Embrace obedience. What are you refusing to do for Jesus because it costs too much? What commands are you dodging because they hurt or are inconvenient?
• Align with Christ’s mission – “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). How does your life reflect Christ’s redemptive purpose in the world?

🧠 Reflection:
Not only is the cross the EXCLUSIVE means of salvation, it is the model of life for the saints. The mind of Christ is revealed in His willingness to descend, to serve, and to give Himself fully… even unto death! This same mind now defines those united to Him. Where this mindset is present, the Gospel is not merely spoken—it is embodied.

Blessings & love,

Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor

BigIslandChristianChurch.com

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