This is the 30^th entry in my 30-part series on the word “let” in the Bible.

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

The “let” of this verse can appear confusing at first. It seems that leaving our own interests behind and focusing on the interests of others is a lot of work. It is—if we try to do both those things in our own strength. What this verse is telling us is to allow ourselves to receive a grace that has the power to override our natural tendencies (and even our sinful intention) nd frees us to focus on others and their interests.

This is a grace that detaches from being self-centered and self-serving. It nullifies the drive for selfish thoughts and actions and actually replaces that drive. The new drive is one that not only sees the interests of others, but desires and then works to help fulfill them.

That’s a dramatic change and can seem impossible to do from the heart. But the next few verses show us that it has been done before on the deepest and highest levels, and in a way that we can access:

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.

This is demonstration and availability all in one. Jesus didn’t “count equality with God” as a reason to be self-serving, but He lowered Himself with the single greatest act of condescension in history (from deity to a human baby to a servant offered as a sacrifice). There is no greater example of looking away from personal self-interest to “looking to the needs of others.”

But is this passage simply an exhibition that dazzles us but can make us feel left feeling inadequate by comparison? No, it’s much more. This scripture doesn’t simply present an exhibition of grace and humility: it tells us how to access that power ourselves. The key is in these six key words: “which is yours in Christ Jesus”.

As we press into Christ Jesus, that mind of Christ becomes ours. As we press into Christ Jesus, the power to move from self-centeredness to a servant’s way of thinking and acting becomes ours—because that is how He is and who He is. Colossians 3:3 says that we have died and our life is hidden with Christ in God. Let’s look for Jesus, seeking until we find Him. As we find Him, His loving other-centeredness, over time, becomes ours.