Humility--it is not exactly a word we think about every day but it is something that our Scripture today encourages us to have as a primary attitude in our lives. One writer says, "Christ's humility of heart and mind must be found in his followers, who are called to live sacrificially and unselfishly, caring about others and doing good to them." (NIV Study Bible, page 1841)
When we come to the truth of humility we need to grasp the idea of pride. It is OK to have pride in ourselves but when it becomes exaggerated and we begin to think that we are superior to others etc and it puts others down--then we are in trouble! The humility that is godly is the kind that places others in honor in our lives. Verse 4 tells us that we "should not look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Humility is a very special action of loving one another. Our example is Christ and how he humbled himself in such a way that he was willing to die for us. Jesus did not look out for himself--he was looking at you and me in such deep love that He was willing to give Himself for us. Verse 5 says that we should HAVE THE SAME ATTITUDE OF JESUS!
This can only happen by us first humbling ourselves before the Lord. James 4:6 says, "But he give us more grace. That is why Scripture says: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Let us examine our own attitudes today with and open heart and mind!