Agape Therapy: Philippians 2:5-11
“5! Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
There is so much doctrine and theology packed into these verses, we are in danger of straying from the main subject that Paul was addressing. In verses 1-4, he set the theme of injecting agape love into every relationship. He set out to repair broken relationships within the church at Philippi.
In this context, he exemplifies the principles set forth in Philippians 2:1-4 by the way Jesus lived. He saw following the example of Jesus Christ as the key to building healthy relationships. (Philippians 2:5-11) This truth can be applied to repairing damaged marriages, families, churches and our witness in the world.
At first glance, Philippians 2:3-4 seems impossible to fulfill. Can we really empty ourselves to the point of putting others first in every relationship at all times? Is this really what it means to be a conduit of agape love? Was this really what Jesus taught and lived? (Review John 13:34-35)
Paul anticipated those questions and in the balance of this chapter he presents three compelling examples of agape love in action. They are:
Philippians 2:5-11 The Example of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:19-24 The Example of Timothy. Philippians 2:25-30 The Example of Epaphroditus.
This is significant. All excuses to not live out agape love are removed. Bringing agape love into every relationship is the defining characteristic of a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.
By contrast, having right theology but broken relationships is a return to Pharisee culture. It is toxic and damaging to those around us.
The Pharisees were so deceived and self righteous in their approach to God, they hurt and wounded people around them. They trampled on people in their attempt to please God. They had no concept of “the law of love.” (Matthew 22:35-49, Galatians 5:14)
So why do I inject the Pharisees into this conversation. According to Philippians 3:1-16, that’s the background Paul came from. He becomes the fourth example of the transforming power of agape love. Jesus changed him from a rigid, legalistic and self-righteous Pharisee into a humble and loving servant/leader. In keeping with this theme, Paul laid down his life for Jesus and others.
Back to our context. In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul sets forth Jesus as his first example of the principle of agape love relationships. Jesus consistently emptied Himself.
He left heaven to come to earth. He set aside the full exercise of Deity to put on the limitations of humanity. He avoided claiming His royal rights as a direct descendant of King David and instead put on the clothes of a common bond-servant. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of a shameful death on a cross.
Paul’s description of Jesus Christ in this context is the ultimate expression of self emptying. It was love that prompted Him to put sinful humanity above Himself. He went to the cross to reach lost and sinful people. You and I need to go to the cross as well for the sake of our key relationships.
Here is the thrust of this context; Philippians 2:5 says; “Have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus.” This verse sets the tone of what follows. God expects us to live the same way Jesus did and bring selfless agape love into every relationship.
Do not miss this point in the book of Philippians. It is Paul’s basic thesis in this letter. God expects us to live with the same selfless agape love Jesus and the early Christians had.
Until you empty yourself of yourself you can never be a channel of agape love. You will use religion to control and abuse people around you. Tragically, you will use the Bible to hurt rather than heal people. You will build walls rather than bridges. You will start treating your mission field like a battle field. You will do more damage than good.
At some point you need to stop and do an honest and courageous inventory of your key relationships. If they are broken… there is a problem is within you!
If there are walls everywhere… you are not walking in the Spirit. If you have become critical and condescending… you are in desperate need of relational chemotherapy. You are in need of an infusion of Agape Love!
This has been the single most difficult challenge in my Christian life. Treating others with agape love is not natural. After fifty years of walking with God, studying theology and ministering around the world, God is bringing me back to agape love as the single most important ingredient in impacting others. This is the Jesus way!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
“5! Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8) And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9) For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10) so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11
There is so much doctrine and theology packed into these verses, we are in danger of straying from the main subject that Paul was addressing. In verses 1-4, he set the theme of injecting agape love into every relationship. He set out to repair broken relationships within the church at Philippi.
In this context, he exemplifies the principles set forth in Philippians 2:1-4 by the way Jesus lived. He saw following the example of Jesus Christ as the key to building healthy relationships. (Philippians 2:5-11) This truth can be applied to repairing damaged marriages, families, churches and our witness in the world.
At first glance, Philippians 2:3-4 seems impossible to fulfill. Can we really empty ourselves to the point of putting others first in every relationship at all times? Is this really what it means to be a conduit of agape love? Was this really what Jesus taught and lived? (Review John 13:34-35)
Paul anticipated those questions and in the balance of this chapter he presents three compelling examples of agape love in action. They are:
Philippians 2:5-11 The Example of Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:19-24 The Example of Timothy. Philippians 2:25-30 The Example of Epaphroditus.
This is significant. All excuses to not live out agape love are removed. Bringing agape love into every relationship is the defining characteristic of a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.
By contrast, having right theology but broken relationships is a return to Pharisee culture. It is toxic and damaging to those around us.
The Pharisees were so deceived and self righteous in their approach to God, they hurt and wounded people around them. They trampled on people in their attempt to please God. They had no concept of “the law of love.” (Matthew 22:35-49, Galatians 5:14)
So why do I inject the Pharisees into this conversation. According to Philippians 3:1-16, that’s the background Paul came from. He becomes the fourth example of the transforming power of agape love. Jesus changed him from a rigid, legalistic and self-righteous Pharisee into a humble and loving servant/leader. In keeping with this theme, Paul laid down his life for Jesus and others.
Back to our context. In Philippians 2:5-11, Paul sets forth Jesus as his first example of the principle of agape love relationships. Jesus consistently emptied Himself.
He left heaven to come to earth. He set aside the full exercise of Deity to put on the limitations of humanity. He avoided claiming His royal rights as a direct descendant of King David and instead put on the clothes of a common bond-servant. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of a shameful death on a cross.
Paul’s description of Jesus Christ in this context is the ultimate expression of self emptying. It was love that prompted Him to put sinful humanity above Himself. He went to the cross to reach lost and sinful people. You and I need to go to the cross as well for the sake of our key relationships.
Here is the thrust of this context; Philippians 2:5 says; “Have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus.” This verse sets the tone of what follows. God expects us to live the same way Jesus did and bring selfless agape love into every relationship.
Do not miss this point in the book of Philippians. It is Paul’s basic thesis in this letter. God expects us to live with the same selfless agape love Jesus and the early Christians had.
Until you empty yourself of yourself you can never be a channel of agape love. You will use religion to control and abuse people around you. Tragically, you will use the Bible to hurt rather than heal people. You will build walls rather than bridges. You will start treating your mission field like a battle field. You will do more damage than good.
At some point you need to stop and do an honest and courageous inventory of your key relationships. If they are broken… there is a problem is within you!
If there are walls everywhere… you are not walking in the Spirit. If you have become critical and condescending… you are in desperate need of relational chemotherapy. You are in need of an infusion of Agape Love!
This has been the single most difficult challenge in my Christian life. Treating others with agape love is not natural. After fifty years of walking with God, studying theology and ministering around the world, God is bringing me back to agape love as the single most important ingredient in impacting others. This is the Jesus way!
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
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