Describe Him: Example

A while back, I started a series of posts called “Describe Him A-Z”—a post for each letter of the alphabet focusing on aspects of the character of God, Christ, and the Spirit.  I only got as far as D.  Here are the previous posts on A through D: Advocate, Beginning, Comfort, Doctor.  I’ve decided to work on completing this series, so here goes! 

As the title already shows, the Bible presents Christ as our example. 

 In Philippians 2:5 we find Christ’s mind as the model for where our mind should be: thinking and being like Christ are requirements for every believer.  As the passage in Philippians 2 goes on to show, Christ humbled Himself, became a man, and gave His life for the world.  How does this aspect of Christ’s life give us an example to follow?  

Dr. Courtney, a pastor in Oklahoma and one of my teachers from Cornerstone, made several important points about this passage:

- Christ did not think it robbery to be equal with God (Phil. 2:6.)  In not thinking it robbery, He did not have the need to defend anything about Himself.  His life was not about protecting His reputation as God the Son.  Instead, He humbled Himself because He had nothing to lose. 
This freedom from self-interest and self-preservation produced a freedom to serve and give His life for us. 

- As Christians, we are positioned in Christ.  There is nothing we can do, or nothing others can do to us, to change this position. Christ is the one who has made us “In Him.”  Why then, should we worry about defending and protecting our reputation before others?  Our position in Christ gives us freedom from the need to defend ourselves.  In turn, it grants us the freedom to serve others.

- By having this mindset as Christ did, we are able to be likeminded with other believers, to have the same love, to be of one accord and of one mind.  We can act without strife and pride, and in humility see others as more important than ourselves. 

Christ is our example to follow.  And as Philippians 2:13 reminds us, “…it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”