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Contending for the Word Q&A
With Dave Jenkins
Jesus Christ perfectly displays the humility and patience His people need. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers Philippians 2:3–8 and the character of our Savior, who served others, loved imperfect disciples, and willingly gave Himself for sinners.
As we look to Christ, we learn to put the good of others before our convenience, show patience with those who are growing, and entrust ourselves to God in suffering. These qualities grow as we depend on His grace and walk by His Spirit.
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Christlike Humility and Patience
Pride turns our attention toward ourselves. Impatience makes us frustrated when others do not understand or mature as quickly as we would like. Philippians 2 directs our attention to Jesus Christ and calls us to have His mind as we relate to one another.
Jesus is eternally God. In becoming man, He took the form of a servant and humbled Himself in obedience to His Father, even to death on a cross. His humility and patience reveal the character His people are called to reflect.
Humility That Serves Others
Biblical humility refuses to make ourselves the center of everything. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, cared for the weak, and welcomed people others overlooked. Mark 10:45 points us to the heart of His mission: He came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Following Christ means considering how we can use what God has given us for someone else’s good. Humility moves us to serve even when doing so interrupts our plans or costs us convenience.
Patience with Weak and Imperfect People
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus patiently taught disciples who misunderstood Him, argued about their importance, and struggled to believe. Even as He approached the cross, He continued loving and preparing them.
Jesus spoke clearly about sin and error while showing patience with weak people. Remembering His patience toward us helps us teach, encourage, and serve others without demanding that they grow according to our timetable.
Trusting God in Suffering
The cross displays the depth of Christ’s humility. He willingly endured hostility, false accusations, mockery, and rejection as He gave Himself for sinners. First Peter 2:21–23 describes His response to suffering: He did not retaliate but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.
His example teaches us to trust our Father when we are criticized or mistreated. We can entrust ourselves to God instead of insisting on controlling every situation or winning every argument.
Christ Our Savior and Example
We need the Savior before we need the example. Jesus lived the life we have not lived, died for our sins, and rose from the grave. Through faith in Him, we are forgiven and reconciled to God.
By His Spirit, God makes His people increasingly like His Son. Christian humility and patience grow as we behold Christ, depend on His grace, walk by His Spirit, and follow His example.
Putting This Truth into Practice
- When pride rises, remember the Savior who took the form of a servant.
- When someone frustrates you, remember Christ’s patience toward you.
- When serving becomes inconvenient, remember the One who gave Himself for you.
- When you want to demand your own way, remember Jesus submitting perfectly to His Father’s will.
Look to Jesus, the humble King and patient Savior, and ask the Lord to make His character increasingly visible in your life.
Key Scriptures
- Philippians 2:3–8
- Mark 10:45
- 1 Peter 2:21–23
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