The Gospel & Salvation: Salvation Produces Humility - Part 2

Salvation Produces Humility – Part 2

Philippians 2:3-9

 We are still in our series on the work of salvation. We have been looking at what the work of salvation produces in the life of those who are genuinely saved. Salvation is no trivial transaction. It is a life transforming reality. Spiritual birth results in spiritual life and this is nothing less than the life of Christ. In salvation we enter a union with Christ in which His life is manifest in us. I won’t take time for a complete review, but we have seen from Romans 12:1-3 that those who are saved in God’s work of redemption are called to become living and holy sacrifices acceptable to God.

In Romans 12, where the Apostle Paul calls us to present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice in verse 1, he also warns against those things that would prevent us from becoming what he calls us to become. He warns against conformity to the world in Romans 12:2. In reality, the work of salvation should make us to become those who do not love the world or anything in the world. Our love for the Father should preclude any desire to love the world or be squeezed into the world’s mold. Of course, the antidote to being squeezed into the world’s mold is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We renew our minds with the word of God.

We learned of the influence of the world as an obstacle to us presenting our bodies a living and holy sacrifice pleasing to God. This is what we identified as the enemy without. Then, in Romans 12:3 Paul told us not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. This pointed at the enemy within. To think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think is to allow pride to prevent us from presenting our bodies as living and holy sacrifices acceptable to God. If we have too high an opinion of ourselves, we will inevitably live for self. It is impossible to live for self and as a living and holy sacrifice to God.

So last week we saw that the work of salvation should produce humility. This is something we only opened the lid on last week. All we did last week was to establish the fact that we all need more instruction, guidance, and perhaps even admonition in regards to a walk in humility. There is nothing I teach that I need more than instruction from God’s word regarding humility.

Let’s turn in our Bible’s to Philippians 2. This is a passage I have probably quoted more than any other over the last 18-20 years. I have most of this committed to memory. I have meditated on this passage probably more than any other text. Let’s stand together as we read the word of God today. Read Philippians 2:1-11.

I confess to you that I spent the majority of my Christian life, even my life as a pastor, not understanding humility. I didn’t understand what a vital aspect it was of the Christian life. I knew a lot about what the Bible said about humility, but I didn’t understand it. When I began to understand humility, I was immediately deeply convicted at how lacking this virtue was in my life. This was so eye-opening that I wondered if it wasn’t at this point I was genuinely converted. I read something in Andrew Murray’s book that comforted and encouraged me. He wrote, “Let him honestly fix his heart on his own lack of the humility which has been revealed in the likeness of Christ’s life, and in the whole character of His redemption, and he will begin to feel as if he had never yet really known what Christ and His salvation is.” This is a common reaction, I guess, to having one’s eyes opened to the reality of the lack of humility in the Christian’s life.

It was about eight years ago I was sovereignly confronted with the truth about the lack of humility in my life. Eight years is enough time to get a degree in medicine and become a medical doctor. One would think that this would have been more than enough time for my life to have begun to manifest considerable progress. I hope that it has, but one thing you don’t want to do is to begin to brag about how humble you have become. When I look at my persistent prideful attitudes I am often reminded of the great need for much work still to be accomplished. 

One of the things I understand better the older I get, is that time passes quickly, and spiritual growth occurs rather slowly. This is why we must be as patient with one another as God is with us. One of the marks of a humble person is a willingness to give grace to others, patiently waiting for God to do His work of transformation. While humility may be slow to develop in the life of the believer, it should certainly be one of the prominent virtues developing within us. Spiritual progress involves God’s work to conform us to the image of Christ. Again Murray writes, “Meekness and lowliness of heart are the chief marks by which the meek and lowly Lamb of God are to be known. In the life of earnest Christians, of those who pursue and profess holiness, humility ought to be the chief mark of their uprightness.”

Philippians 2 gives us the best counsel anywhere to be found on how to develop the virtue of humility in our lives. We don’t have time for a deep dive into everything here but I will point out that verses 1-2 describe Paul’s desire for intimate fellowship and loving unity within the church. This fellowship and unity cannot exist unless humility is the dominate virtue in the lives of the people in the church. Humility isn’t important for only a few, or even a small segment, it is important for everyone in the church.

Verses 3-4 contain instructions regarding the exercise of humility in our relationships with one another. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit. The word selfishness is “eritheia” in the Greek. It describes a motive of self-interest. Interestingly, the KJV translates the word as “strife.” It says, “Let nothing be done through strife…” This makes sense. What do you have when you have two selfishly motivated people together? Some would say, “marriage.” Unfortunately that is too often true. This is true whether it is in marriage or in any other situation where two selfish, pride-filled people are competing for their way. There will be strife. There will be conflict. There will be a battle of the wills.

The word “empty conceit” is “vainglory” in the KJV and “kenodoxia” in the Greek. It describes the empty pride that longs for praise. We are to do nothing motivated from self-interest for the purpose of feeding our pride on the praise of another.

Rather, we are to “with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.” The word translated “humility of mind” is “tapeinophrosune” in the Greek. I am going to put that word on your spelling test. This word is describes lowliness of mind, the esteeming of ourselves small, having a correct estimate of ourselves. If this word was used to describe our standing before God and His work of salvation, it would describe the sinner’s confession of his sin and a deep realization of his unworthiness to receive God’s marvelous grace. But the context here is a person’s attitude toward others. It describes the esteeming of ourselves small, having a correct estimate of ourselves when compared to others.

Paul goes on to tell us what our estimation of others is to be. We are to “regard one another as more important than yourselves.” The word “regard” is “hegeomai” and it means “to lead the way, go first.” Implied here is that our first thoughts of others are that they are more important than us. We esteem others as more important. The Greek word “huperecho” is translated “more important. It is a compound word using “huper” meaning over and “echo” meaning “to have. It figuratively means to hold one above another, or to hold one superior or better than another.

Think for a moment about how different this attitude is from the spirit of the age that we have talked so much about over the last few weeks. The world argues that we are to look out for “Number One”. The world teaches us to stand up for ourselves and let no one put us down. In the religion of secular humanism the number one doctrine is self-esteem and self-exaltation. Here, Paul is telling us to look on others as though they are more important than we are. It isn’t hard to see why humility was not an honored virtue in the Greek world. It isn’t an honored virtue in our culture. But it is an honored virtue in the kingdom of God. It is a highly honored virtue in God’s economy.

It is when we adopt this mindset that we are able to do what is instructed in verse 4. We do not merely look out for our own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. If we are truly humble, we will genuinely care more about others than we do ourselves.

These are challenging imperatives. How is a person supposed to be able to do what we have just seen in verses 3-4. There is only one way. We must “have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus…” (v. 5)

What is this attitude which Paul calls us to have? What was the attitude of Christ?

Let’s look carefully at what Paul tells us about this attitude which was in Christ. The first thing he says is that Christ, “who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” “Existed” is the word “huparcho” in the Greek. The root word is “arche” which means “beginning.” This word denotes the continuance of a previous state of existence. It speaks of continuing to be what one was before. What this means is that whatever Jesus is in His incarnation He has always been. Before His incarnation Jesus was God. During His incarnation Jesus was God. After His incarnation Jesus is still God. Jesus was and is, by His very nature, eternally God.

Paul says that this eternal existence has always been and always will be “in the form of God.” The word “form” is “morphe” in the Greek. This word describes the outward manifestation of an inner reality. This speaks of essence, or essential nature. Paul is telling us that Jesus preexisted in the form of God. He was by nature and in His essential being God. He was fully divine. He was equal with God the Father in every way. 

There are two words in the Greek that are translated “form.” They are “morphe” and “schema.” Both are used in this passage. Verse 8 says, “being found in appearance as a man.” The word “appearance” is translated from “schema.” Here is how we are to understand the difference. The “morphe” of Christ has always been the same. He is God. His “schema” has changed. His appearance has changed. Think about it like this. From very early in the process of development within my mother’s womb, I have been male. My “morphe” is male. My schema, or appearance has changed from a baby to young boy to adolescent to young adult to adult and now is quickly moving to old man. The form of Jesus never changes. The “schema” of Jesus has changed.

Paul is describing for us the starting point from which Jesus began His condescension. You don’t start any higher than being God. If Jesus, being God, can adopt this attitude, what argument can we make against adopting the same attitude?

Paul goes on to say that even though Jesus existed in the form of God, He did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Look closely at this. “Equality with God” is synonymous with “form of God.” Paul repeats the declaration of Christ’s nature and essence. Here Paul gives us insight into the “attitude” of Jesus. His attitude was such that He would not cling tightly to His position and power and glorious form.

The word “equality” is insightful. It is “isos.” “Equality” is a perfect translation. An isosceles triangle has two equal sides. Jesus was equal with God in every respect. But He did not regard this equality as something to be grasped.

The word “grasped” means something that is seized and carried off by force. It has the idea of viewing something as prized and so valuable that it is clutched tightly. Jesus did not view even His equality with God something to cling tightly. The attitude of Jesus was that He was willing to be humbled. He was willing to let go of His exalted status as God. He was not going to be selfish about His status, position, or glory. He had the humility of mind that motivated Him to never consider any selfish ambition.

Rather than grasping His equality with God, Paul tells us that Jesus “emptied Himself.” What does this mean? Jesus set aside the voluntary exercise of some of His divine attributes. He did not set aside His essence as God. He did not stop being omniscient for example. He still knew things He could only know because He was omniscient. This is how He knew that Lazarus had died, even though He was not there. Scriptures make it clear that Jesus knew what was in the heart of men. At the same time He also said that even He did not know the time of His Second Coming. This was one aspect of His omniscience of which He emptied Himself.

The same is true of His omnipotence. Jesus could have called down legions of angels to come to His defense and aid. He did not. Yet He still possessed enough omnipotence to speak words and knock people off their feet. He could still exercise His omnipotence to speak to the storm and cause it to be still. He could cast thousands of demons out of a man with His word. He simply emptied Himself of the full exercise of His divine prerogatives.

Jesus emptied Himself of the glory which He possessed from eternity past. Jesus also set aside His independent divine authority. Jesus stated on several occasions that it was not His will He came to do but the will of His Father in heaven. He set aside His divine authority to become obedient, even to the point of obedience to death on a cross. He yielded in submission to the will of His Father praying, “Not My will, but Your will be done.”

Jesus emptied Himself of the treasures of heaven. Paul explains in 2 Cor. 8:9, “For you know of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” Jesus emptied Himself of the unique, face-to-face intimacy which He had enjoyed with His Father from eternity past. This went so far as to result in the Father forsaking Him as He bore the sins of humanity. This is why Jesus cried out from the Cross asking why His Father had forsaken Him.

When we consider what Jesus became after emptying Himself the reality becomes even more fascinating. Paul tells us that He emptied Himself taking the form of a bond-servant. Now, remember the word “form” we have already seen in verse 6 meant the outward manifestation of an inner reality. This speaks of essence, essential nature, or being. Jesus took upon Himself the very essence and nature of a doulos, a slave. Just as certainly as He existed in the form of God He took the form of a slave. Jesus didn’t just have the appearance of a slave. He became a slave. He took upon Himself the very essence and nature of a slave.

Jesus repeatedly made this clear. He did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.  (Mt. 20:28) In Luke 22:27 He told His disciples that He was among them as One who serves. A servant’s purpose is to carry the burdens of the ones whom he serves. Jesus bore the burden of our sins, at least for those who believe in Him and trust Him as Lord and Savior.

Paul goes on to say that Jesus was “made in the likeness of men.” (v. 7) The Greek word that is translated “likeness” refers to that which is made to be like something else, not just in appearance, but in reality. Jesus didn’t just appear to be a man. He was a man. He became exactly like other human beings. He possessed all the attributes of humanity. This is obvious in the fact that He became hungry and tired. He took upon Himself all the weaknesses, limitations, frailties and problems we encounter as humans. He was tempted in all points like we are tempted. Yet He did not sin. He knew sorrow and pain. He was fully man as much as He was fully God.

Romans 8:3 says He was sent “in the likeness of sinful flesh, and as an offering for sin.” This was why He had to be subject to physical death. It was through death, though sinless, that He fulfilled God’s divine plan as the perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Not only was Jesus made in the likeness of men, but He was also “found in appearance as a man.” Here is where we find the word “schema.” It is the word translated “appearance.” Jesus was so much made in the likeness of men that His appearance was such that men failed to see that He was, in fact, God. He had the outward shape and form of a man. 

The condescension of Jesus goes even further, much further. Being found in appearance as a man, Paul goes on to say that Jesus humbled Himself. Jesus went from creating galaxies to helping Joseph make furniture in a carpenter’s shop in Nazareth. Jesus went from receiving worship of angels to washing the feet of His disciples, even the feet of the one who would betray Him. Jesus humbled Himself.

He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death. We know how they treated Him even prior to His death. They ridiculed Him, punched Him, spat on Him, scourged Him, beat Him, stripped Him essentially naked, a humiliating thing for anyone, but especially a Jew. They falsely accused Him. They put Him through a mock trial. They condemned Him to death. Through it all, He kept silent. Like a lamb being led to slaughter He opened not His mouth.

His condescension culminated at the lowest point, death on a cross. Crucifixion was the most cruel and humiliating way a person could die. It was excruciatingly painful. It was humiliating especially for the Jew because the Hebrew Scriptures, in Deut. 21:23 says that anyone who is hanged on a tree was cursed of God. The idea of the Messiah dying by crucifixion on a cross was the biggest stumbling block to the Jews.

Paul did not write this just so that we would simply understand how far Jesus descended in His incarnation. Paul wrote this to illustrate for us what kind of attitude we are to have within ourselves. So, what does it mean to have this attitude in ourselves which was also in Christ Jesus?

In His humanity, the life of Jesus consisted of self-emptying, absolute submission, and complete dependence upon the Father’s will. I must repeat this. The life of Jesus consisted of self-emptying, absolute submission, and complete dependence on the Father’s will. In this, Jesus found perfect peace and joy. He lost nothing by yielding everything to God. In fact, because of His humiliation, God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name.

Is this where we find ourselves? Is this our attitude? Does our life consist of self-emptying, absolute submission, and complete dependence upon the Father’s will? I wish I could tell you mine did, but it does not, at least not to the degree I would like. I don’t think I am there to the point that is perfectly pleasing to God. Until I get to the place where my life consists of self-emptying, absolute submission, and complete dependence upon the Father’s will, I cannot claim to be presenting myself to God as a living and holy sacrifice acceptable to God.

I suspect that we all have room to grow in this regard. My prayer is that we are all seeking this diligently. The closer we all get to this the more we will be like Christ and the more we will see the power of God unleashed through the lives of the members of Grace Bible Church.

Why is this a struggle for us? We struggle to live a life of self-emptying, absolute submission, and complete dependence upon the Father’s will because we still think too highly of ourselves. We wrestle with an enemy which does not die easily. The enemy within is pride. Pride fights against self-emptying, absolute submission and complete dependence upon the Father’s will.

Perhaps we don’t think of ourselves as being as humble as we should be, but we don’t think ourselves as proud. The truth is that there is no neutral position between humble and prideful. There is no fence to straddle. We are either humble before God and others, or we are guilty of pride. Unfortunately, in the church today, and among too many Christians, pride isn’t that big a deal. But it is. Pride puts us at odds with God. God resists the proud. Pride is at the root of every evil. Jay’s youth class today was challenged to consider how pride would result in the violation of every one of the Ten Commandments. This was a worthwhile consideration.

Pride is at the heart of every evil. Pride invaded the angelic realm and Lucifer fell and took a third of the heavenly host with him. The pride that filled his heart and gave birth to the desire to be like God got him thrown out of the presence of God and will ultimately have him cast into a pit for all eternity. Pride is no insignificant issue. When the Serpent, through whom Satan manifested himself in the Garden, spewed the poison of pride into the heart and mind of Eve, birth was given in her heart also to be as God. She became a sinner needing redemption. Pride was her undoing.

This pride, which plunged the human race into depravity and sinful corruption, still works its devilish influences in us. Pride is a subtle and sinister evil that works to undermine our spiritual growth. Our only reliable defense is the truth of God’s word and the indwelling Holy Spirit’s power controlling us. Our greatest need is to learn from the meek and lowly humble One, Jesus Christ. His redemption is our restoration to a right relationship with God and others, and the chief manifestation of this restoration is humility.

I have only one question by way of application for you this morning. Do you have this attitude in you which was also in Christ Jesus? 

If we do not, we must confess this to God. Ask for His forgiveness. Ask Him to do His work in your heart to produce this attitude in you. Yield to the Holy Spirit. The very life of the meek and lowly Son of God lives in us through His Spirit and He will produce this attitude in us if we are yielded to His control and submissive to His will. 

This may not be the only thing we need to do this morning to be prepared to partake of the elements of the Lord’s Table. Ask God to search your hearts this morning. Confess your sins to Him. If you need to ask others for forgiveness take care of that.

Let’s pray.