Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

If Jesus is Lord, why do all not declare it?  One consideration of this question is that since the entering of sin into the world, depraved human nature has rebelled consistently against authority, especially God’s authority.  Beyond that, false religion has provided multiple alternatives to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  A casual survey of world religions leads many to the conclusion that all religions are relatively similar and nominally aiming toward the same results.  The New Testament paints a different picture as a follow-on to the groundwork laid by the Old Testament.  The Law of God, broken by humanity, requires keeping by humanity, if any human is to receive redemption.  Christ has satisfied the Law in precept by His life.  He has satisfied the Law in penalty by His death.  His death was the substitutionary sacrifice for those He came to redeem.  Because Christ has purchased redemption, God has exalted Him.  Ultimately, all humanity will arrive at the point where they confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  This includes both the redeemed and the unredeemed.  Thus, everyone shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Our Wise and Holy God,
we rejoice that You have exalted Christ.
We praise You that by Your intention,
all eyes are upon Him,
Who is Lord of all.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 2:5

What can we know about the mindset of Christ?  Paul gives us insight into this as he continues to write the passage which follows our text.  He tells us that Christ, ‘being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.’  Here is how Paul illustrates Christ’s ‘mind’ or mindset.  What we see from his illustration is a mindset of humility and self-sacrifice.  He did not stand upon His rights or insist upon recognition of His status.  Rather we find Christ setting aside His rights and recognition to descend to the lowest place in order to do the most good for the most people.  His mindset was utterly selfless and genuinely loving.  Here is the active demonstration of the highest good.  This is the what will accomplish the most good in the world.  It is the pattern of thinking which is utterly connected to Christ.  For us the contemplation of Christ is what leads us to the imitation of Christ.  We must know Him, make Him the object of our faith, and continue to look to Him.  All the means of Grace He has provided serve to keep Him ever before us.  By the use the Holy Spirit makes of these means we will come to see Christ more clearly that His mindset may become ours.

Our Wise and Holy God,
we rejoice that You have given us insight
into the mind of Christ.
We praise You that we have the privilege
to look to Him and to be conformed
into His Image by His Spirit.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

Philippians 2:2

In a day of division and disunity, where will we find what will bring us together?  In speaking to the Philippians, Paul emphasizes what brings the people of God together.  Within three verses from our text, Paul will bring their attention to the mind of Christ.  He will urge, ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.’  Herein lies the key to the whole discussion of what brings us together.  It is the imitation of Christ which enables us to truly be ‘of one mind.’  Paul describes the characteristic of this mind when he counsels, ‘Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.’  These are not characteristics which are natural to any of us.  As the Holy Spirit uses the means of grace to make Christ real unto us, we begin to more thoroughly understand the mind of Christ and imitate the spirit of Christ.  Our attachment to selfish ambition dies by degrees.  We begin to engage in the life which Paul has described earlier in Philippians, ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.’  If we would be of one mind, it will be by our looking to Christ.  Nothing else will transform us from pursuing self-interest.  Selfishness is inextricably associated with sin, and is the great divider.  A sight of Christ leads us to selflessness which unites us around Him.

Our good and wise God,
we rejoice that You reveal unto us
what we most need.
We praise You that Christ satisfies those needs
and thus brings us together with one mind.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning