Word@Work Phil15 - Philippians 2:5-7
Published: Wed, 10/14/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE MODEL OF HOLINESS
Phil. 2:5-7 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (NIV)
If there was anyone who had the right to be treated as God, it was Jesus. But His attitude showed how the 'image of God' should really look in a human being. You may recall that the Holy Trinity created mankind in their image (see Gen 1:26-27), but after the fall, human nature was so spoiled that it was only fit for death. But Jesus was born as a human being without any of our inherent corruption; he had the undiluted nature of God. Therefore His attitude is the perfect model of what God intends us to be.
For Jesus, submission was not a sign of weakness, but of glad fellowship with the Father. He had no interest in boasting of his Divinity, because He was totally secure: He knew who He was. Jesus had no problem of pride in lowering Himself to touch lepers, teach social outcasts or go to the cross. Indeed, He willingly gave up the glory of heaven so that He could be born is a stable, live as a carpenter and then die to pay for our sins: and buy us back from the authority of Satan. So He had no need to make a name for Himself (He already knew that His Name had almighty power), nor did He grasp glory for Himself, but delighted in submitting and serving: because He loved Father God and the human race.
When a person is born again by God's Spirit (see John 3:3-8), he/she becomes a new creation (see 2 Cor 5:17), with a new desire to be the person God had always intended us to be. Pride is to go out and submission is to come in. Grasping greatness should no longer rule the agenda, but willing service should become the norm. As we start to realise who we are in Christ, these attitude changes grow within us . When we understand that we are children of the Most High God, the saved and redeemed inheritors of heaven, worldly fame seems rather pathetic. The insecurity which drives us to self-assertion will only shrink away once we know how safe and treasured we are by God; as Christ knew in His relationship with the Father. Most of our attitude problems find their solution in knowing our identity; and only then we can serve joyfully in love. A few people like that at work or in the neighbourhood would make all the difference ... and you should be one of them!
Prayer: Holy God. Thank you for the attitude of Jesus which revealed His total security. Help me to live today in the confidence that You have given me Your Spirit to assure me that I belong to You as a treasured child. May I live today with a fresh desire and gladness in serving others for Your sake. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
If there was anyone who had the right to be treated as God, it was Jesus. But His attitude showed how the 'image of God' should really look in a human being. You may recall that the Holy Trinity created mankind in their image (see Gen 1:26-27), but after the fall, human nature was so spoiled that it was only fit for death. But Jesus was born as a human being without any of our inherent corruption; he had the undiluted nature of God. Therefore His attitude is the perfect model of what God intends us to be.
For Jesus, submission was not a sign of weakness, but of glad fellowship with the Father. He had no interest in boasting of his Divinity, because He was totally secure: He knew who He was. Jesus had no problem of pride in lowering Himself to touch lepers, teach social outcasts or go to the cross. Indeed, He willingly gave up the glory of heaven so that He could be born is a stable, live as a carpenter and then die to pay for our sins: and buy us back from the authority of Satan. So He had no need to make a name for Himself (He already knew that His Name had almighty power), nor did He grasp glory for Himself, but delighted in submitting and serving: because He loved Father God and the human race.
When a person is born again by God's Spirit (see John 3:3-8), he/she becomes a new creation (see 2 Cor 5:17), with a new desire to be the person God had always intended us to be. Pride is to go out and submission is to come in. Grasping greatness should no longer rule the agenda, but willing service should become the norm. As we start to realise who we are in Christ, these attitude changes grow within us . When we understand that we are children of the Most High God, the saved and redeemed inheritors of heaven, worldly fame seems rather pathetic. The insecurity which drives us to self-assertion will only shrink away once we know how safe and treasured we are by God; as Christ knew in His relationship with the Father. Most of our attitude problems find their solution in knowing our identity; and only then we can serve joyfully in love. A few people like that at work or in the neighbourhood would make all the difference ... and you should be one of them!
Prayer: Holy God. Thank you for the attitude of Jesus which revealed His total security. Help me to live today in the confidence that You have given me Your Spirit to assure me that I belong to You as a treasured child. May I live today with a fresh desire and gladness in serving others for Your sake. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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