Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

This seems a rather obvious scripture for Bible readers, as it calls us to love others. Nothing new about that, though of course we need all the reminders we can get.

But like so many other LET scriptures, this one benefits from a look at its context. The previous verse is the perfect set-up: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Forsaking actions that grow from selfish ambition or conceits is pretty much impossible to do our own strength; we must have His power and grace to avoid that. But v. 3 sets up a vision of looking upon others in a way that leads to preferring them over ourselves.

Then we have the scriptures that follow (vv. 3-8), which challenge us take our cue directly from our Savior: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

As with v. 3, we are dazzled with a vision beyond our comprehension, but which positions us to take the low place and serve others. We are reminded that Jesus forsook the power and authority He had in heave and humbled himself beyond what we can conceive of—from heaven to earth, from divinity to humanity, and then from humanity to the excruciating and humiliating death on a Roman cross.  

Take some time to consider vv. 5-8 and realize what the Lord has done for us. Think of the love and selflessness that He demonstrated, and how much He sacrificed to put us above His own interests. With that in mind and heart, we should LET that incredible love (a love that never fails—I Corinthians 13:8) flow from Him through us to those around us. The love is there, always available in Christ, for every person and every situation. No exceptions.

As we grow in humility, desiring to put the interests of others above our own (without ignoring our own interests, of course), we find ourselves at the low place, where we can receive and then extend the love and grace of God. It’s been said many times that grace, like water, flows to the lowest place. Once we find ourselves there, we are in a place where we want to put the interest of others before our own, and we find a grace for patience and a love that heals and edifies others.