Welcome back. It comforts me to know you are still reading with us. Today, we will reflect on Philippians chapters 1 and 2. As I read, prayed, and wrestled with these passages, I kept returning to Philippians 2:6–11. This section is not part of the Gospel—it is the Gospel. More than that, it captures what the entire book of Philippians is about.
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi—the first church he planted in Europe (Acts 16:11–12). Philippi was a Roman colony filled with retired soldiers: disciplined, patriotic citizens loyal to Roman law and accustomed to emperor worship. When Paul shared the gospel there, he faced resistance (Acts 16:19–22). Yet those who believed became steadfast in their faith. Paul gained great comfort from that steadfastness (Philippians 1:3–5), and I share a similar comfort in knowing you are reading this devotional with me now.
Following the Pattern of Christ
Paul structures Philippians around the life and example of Jesus Christ, particularly in Philippians 2:6–11. In my research, I returned to a resource I have used often: The Bible Project. Their overview of Philippians explains how each section reflects aspects of Jesus’ life, calling us to reflect Christ’s humility, sacrifice, and love in our own lives. (1)
The letter begins with Paul’s gratitude (Philippians 1:1–11). He thanks the church for their generosity and partnership in the gospel—echoing the many times Jesus thanked the Father before providing for others (John 6:11; John 11:41). Because of their faithfulness, Paul expresses confidence that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6). This promise extends to all who follow Christ today: when our lives reflect His, we can trust God to complete His work in us.
Emptying Ourselves as Christ Did
But how do we know we are following His example? In our own strength, we cannot. For God to become man, Christ “emptied Himself” (Philippians 2:7), setting aside divine privileges to embrace human limitations. This self-emptying did not prevent Him from performing miracles, because He accomplished them through prayer and dependence on the Father (John 5:19; John 11:42).
In the same way, we must “empty ourselves” of pride, self-will, and the assumptions that limit our faith. Scripture teaches that when we believe—trusting that God will do what He says—He has already answered (Mark 11:24). This does not justify the claims often made in prosperity teaching, but calls us to seek God’s will and trust His work in us (1 John 5:14–15).
Therefore, when I preach, I pray God would remove anything in me that is not from Him. I ask Him to block any word that is mine and let only His truth remain. It is a conscious emptying of myself so that what I do may be “from God, for God, and to God” (Romans 11:36).
The Humility and Suffering of Christ
Philippians 2:6–11 teaches that Christ humbled Himself—taking on human likeness—and became obedient even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). He became like us, as we were made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). It is like looking into a mirror: the reflection resembles the original but lacks its full substance. Jesus took on our likeness, but remained fully God. (2)
Had He chosen to cling to His divine authority, He could have destroyed the soldiers who tortured Him (Matthew 26:53). Instead, He surrendered to suffering for our sake. God exalted Him after this obedience (Philippians 2:9–11).
Sharing in Christ’s Suffering
Paul wrote Philippians while imprisoned, yet he viewed his suffering as an opportunity for the gospel to advance (Philippians 1:12–14). Christ suffered so He could understand and empathize with our pain (Hebrews 4:15), and we suffer so we may share in His life (Philippians 3:10).
Living with a disability, I long for heaven. Heaven is where Jesus is—and the only place I want to be (2 Corinthians 5:8). So many modern medical advancements promise longer life or temporary comfort, but this world is not my home (Hebrews 13:14).
Yet I am reminded that Jesus is also here with me (Matthew 28:20). Until He calls me home, I remain. Paul said, “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). He even confessed he desired to depart and be with Christ—“which is better by far”—but understood it was more necessary for him to stay and serve others (Philippians 1:23–24).
So I, too, stay. Not for myself, but for those I love. For those who may come to know Christ because of something I share. If He gives me another forty years, I will use every moment to serve Him with gratitude. If He calls me home tomorrow, I will go with joy.
Conclusion
Philippians calls us to humility, surrender, obedience, and Christlike endurance. It calls us to suffer with hope and to trust God to complete His work in us. May we empty ourselves so He can fill us, follow Christ’s example, and shine like lights in this world (Philippians 2:15), until the day Jesus calls us home.
Tomorrow, we will read Philippians 3-4.
¹ The Bible Project, Philippians Overview, https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-philippians/.
² “The Doctrine of the Kenosis in Philippians 2:5–8,” Tyndale Bulletin, https://tyndale.tms.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tmsj9e.pdf.