Be Like Jesus

Philippians 2:3-5: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

 

My family often prays, “Help us be more like Jesus today.”

 

I like these verses from Philippians. I understand them. Be humble. Put others’ needs above my own.

 

But what about the part that says to have the same mindset as Jesus in my relationships?

 

That’s not possible. Look at the next verse.

 

Philippians 2:6: Who, being in very nature God,

    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;

 

Jesus is God. How can I possibly be like him?

 

In my relationships? How did Jesus relate to people?

 

In John chapter 8, he was the one who stayed with the woman caught in adultery.

 

In John chapter 9, he accepted the formerly blind man, who was thrown out of the temple.

 

And, oh, what about the demon-possessed man in Mark 5? The violent man who could no longer be bound with chains?

 

Mark 5:15: When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.

 

That’s how people who Jesus has related to can be seen—dressed and in their right mind. That’s how Jesus can make me seen, after all my garbage.

 

That’s how he wants me to relate to others.

 

And no, I can’t do it in my own strength. But I don’t have to. There is a better strength I can draw from.

 

Philippians 2:13: for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.