The Attitude of Christ

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11 (NLT).

As a believer, you already have the mind of Christ, which is the ability to have His perspective in your daily life. You also have the ability and mandate to have the attitude of Christ. As the 2nd Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ is Yahweh, the only one and true God. Before Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem, He was infinitely higher in position than any created being. This is why it is so amazing that Jesus Christ had a humble attitude of service to mankind. He was God and did not hold onto His divine privileges. Instead, He took a humble position of a slave and was born into the human family. He humbled Himself and obeyed the Father in every way, perfectly fulfilling the law of God on our behalf. But, Jesus didn’t stop there. He further humbled Himself to be falsely and unjustly accused, beaten, shamed, rejected, mocked, and crucified. It is because of His humility all of the way to death that you have been given eternal life. Part of living in grace is emulating the attitude of Jesus Christ and giving up privilege to serve others. “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:6 (NLT).

Humility doesn’t require others to wash your feet, but rather seeks to serve others in meaningful ways. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (NLT). Ambition and selfishness are usually rooted in personal pride. Humility is the opposite of pride, so it produces an attitude that seeks what’s best for other people.

Think about your expectations for yourself and others. Are you motivated by pride? Are you dependent on the respect of others to feel valued? Surrender pride and position to Jesus and follow His example of leadership by serving others. True leadership is equipping and serving others.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV). When you were given grace to become a believer, you were given every spiritual blessing in Jesus Christ. One of those blessings is the ability and desire to follow God’s example and live in the paths of love, just like Jesus did.

Who in your life is a challenge to love? What sacrifice can you make to be kind to someone who is generally unkind to you? "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 (NIV).

“Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” Ephesians 5:20-21 (NLT). To submit to others means to humbly accept them as worth your attention and to listen to them. Mutual submission requires a combination of respect, humility and trust. To live like this, you must have the attitude of Jesus Christ, which is to consider others worthy of your love and service.

​“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 (NKJV). Are you willing to set aside your pride and serve others? “All of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” 1 Peter 5:5b-6 (NLT). If you choose humility, God will honor you.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, It is very difficult for me to trust You enough to let go of my pride. Help me to be like Jesus and trust You to raise me up and fulfill my need for significance. Help me to be humble and lift others up, even when it means that I am seen as a servant. In Jesus’s name, amen.”