Happiness Comes from Harmony and Humility

In Philippians 2:6-8 I read, “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 . . . He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” (NLT)

Happiness comes from harmony, and harmony comes from humility. If I want to be a humble person, I have to learn to ask myself this question: “What would Jesus do?”

What would Jesus do in this problem? What would Jesus do for that person who’s hurting? What would Jesus do at the office? On the golf course? In your marriage?

Ask this question, and I’ll always come up with a humble answer that builds harmony and happiness rather than difficulty, defeat, bitterness, and resentment.

So, what does it mean to act like Jesus? Philippians 2 gives three examples:

Don’t demand what I think I deserve. “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (Philippians 2:6 NLT).

It’s counter-cultural to give up my right to something? I have rights, but there’s a better way to get my needs met than demanding my rights. I can be tender without surrender, and I can be understanding without demanding.

Look for ways that I can serve. “Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7 NLT).

If I want to be like Jesus, I’m going to have to learn to serve. Serving is a habit I can develop. And it starts not in the big things in life, but in the little things. God tests my humility every day in the little things, and then it’s shown in the big things. Character is revealed in the great crises of life, but it’s built in the little day-to-day things, like returning the grocery cart to the cart return area. 

Do what’s right, even when it’s painful. “He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8 NLT).

This is what it means to act like Jesus. What did Jesus do, even when he was in pain? He was understanding, not demanding of what he deserved. He looked for ways to serve. And he was a servant in every situation.

Jesus is the ultimate model of humility, and God gave him the greatest honor in the universe. God honors my humility, too, when I follow Jesus’ example.

In summary, happiness comes from harmony, and harmony comes from humility. To be a humble person, learn to ask: “What would Jesus do?” If I ask this question, I’ll always come up with a humble answer that builds harmony and happiness rather than difficulty, defeat, bitterness, and resentment. What does it mean to act like Jesus? Philippians 2 gives three examples: Don’t demand what I think I deserve. It’s counter-cultural to give up my right to something? I have rights, but there’s a better way to get my needs met than demanding my rights. I can be tender without surrender, and I can be understanding without demanding. Look for ways that I can serve. I’m going to have to learn to serve. Serving is a habit I can develop. It starts not in the big things, but in the little things. God tests my humility every day in the little things, and then it’s shown in the big things. Character is revealed in the great crises of life, but it’s built in the little day-to-day things, like returning the grocery cart to the cart return area. Lastly do what’s right, even when it’s painful. This is what it means to act like Jesus. What did Jesus do, even when he was in pain? He was understanding, not demanding of what he deserved. He looked for ways to serve. And he was a servant in every situation. Jesus is the ultimate model of humility, and God gave him the greatest honor in the universe. God honors my humility, too, when I follow Jesus’ example.

Several key characteristics of Jesus Christ are praised in this passage: Christ has always existed with God; Christ is equal to God because he is God. Though Christ is God, he became a man in order to fulfill God's plan of salvation for all people. Christ did not just have the appearance of being a man, he actually became human to identify with my sins. Christ voluntarily laid aside his divine rights and privileges out of love for his Father. Christ died on the cross for my signs so I wouldn't have to face eternal death. God glorified Christ because of his obedience. God raised Christ to his original position at the Father's right hand, where he will reign forever as our Lord and Judge. Often people excuse selfishness, pride, or evil by claiming their rights. They think "I can cheat on this test; after all, I deserve to pass this class," or "I can spend all this money on myself, I worked hard for it. However as a believer, I should have a different attitude, one that enables me to lay aside my rights in order to serve others.  If I say I follow Christ, I must also say I want to live as he lived. I should develop his attitude of humility as I serve, even when I am not likely to get recognition for my efforts. Am I selfishly clinging to my rights, or am I willing to serve?