A Mind to Condescend

Older Christians used to use the language of Christ’s condescension. Today condescension almost always means to stay high and look down on another. The word originally meant not to treat another as low, but to get low, especially in order to serve. This is the truth of the birth and life of God incarnate. It is captured in the story of Jesus’ birth. It’s the call for every Christian.

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:6) and look at what He did.

You do not need to deny your gifts from God any more than Jesus denied His divinity as God. You are chosen and loved by God. But don’t treat your privilege like you are precious, and don’t demand that others recognize your preciousness. Love and lower yourself to serve, to sacrifice.

You may say, “But I’m not Jesus. I can’t do that.” And half of that is true. It should make it easier for us to get low. This is how deceitful and masterful sin is, that it makes it harder (in the spiritual realm) for proud men to condescend than it was for the Son of God (in the metaphysical realm) to condescend. The argument is from the greater to the lesser, and to be clear, we are the lesser.

And remember, those who humble themselves will be exalted…by God. It’s how the Lord works (see Philippians 2:5-9, 1 Peter 5:6).