Think of what the Philippians heard. The cross wasn’t embossed on their Bibles or hung in their churches or worn on a pretty chain around their necks. The cross had none of the softened beauty of today, it was the brutalist of punishments and the ultimate humiliation. This is the heart of Paul’s theology. His understanding of Gods being and his doing in our fallen world. This is who God is. Obedience wasn’t demanded of Christ it was freely given. He humbled himself because it is who he is. The one equal with God has fully revealed the highest truth about God, that God is love. A love that expresses itself in sacrifice.

The mind of Christ kind of obedience isn’t a demanded, blind, unquestioning, “shut up and do it”, kind of obedience. Though at times when I am filled with selfish ambition and vein conceit it would probably be advisable. This is an obedience that flows out of love, knowing the character of God so deeply that that character is being formed in me.