This is the last blog on Philippians 2:1-11.  An in this last blog I’d like to highlight the role we play.  But first let’s take a look at the passage from start to finish.

 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
  Who, being in very nature God,
      did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
  but made himself nothing,
      taking the very nature of a servant,
      being made in human likeness.
  And being found in appearance as a man,
      he humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!
  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
      and gave him the name that is above every name,
  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.

The passage starts with a series of if/then statements.  It’s a great introduction.  They lead naturally to the “then of make my joy complete” by being unified.  This is not a unity of uniformity.  It’s a unity of consider others better than yourselves.  It’s not that we all are the same.  We aren’t.  But we consider the needs of others above our own.

And we consider the needs of others above our own because that’s what Christ did.  He made himself nothing for our sake.  He humbled himself for our sake.

And we are called to do the same.  And when we do, Jesus Christ is exalted.  When we do Jesus Christ’s name is lifted high.  When we do Jesus Christ is revealed as Lord to fallen humanity.

There are two reasons we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ in this passage.  First, he did it for us.  Second, when we do Jesus Christ is revealed as Lord.