Christ’s Humility

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”  Philippians 2:5-8

In order to fully appreciate what Paul is saying in the Philippians passage above we need to first ponder what it means to be, as Jesus was, “in very nature God.” He was equal with God. He said, “whoever has seen me has seen the father.” That is a staggering and amazing statement to make. As Josh McDowell said a long time ago, either He was the Lord, equal with God, or he was a liar or a lunatic. No other option remains. Neither a liar nor a lunatic would have changed the course of history like Jesus did. So His Lordship, equality with God, is all that remains. So, for a man who was equal with God to accept the limitations and vulnerabilities of a mere human, even to the point of death – on a cross no less, is truly remarkable. That kind of humility is really the full nature and reality of who Jesus was and is.

I believe that every aspect of the believer’s life has to be viewed remembering that we are “created in the image of God, a little lower than the angels.” We are something special. We have a “spark of divinity” within. It seems then, that when we practice humility and coach our spirit to “take the very nature of a servant,” we are most like Jesus Christ. Conversely, when we elevate ourselves and compromise humility, we become less like Jesus and move away from the nature of a servant. As joint heirs with Jesus Christ, created in the image of God, let us not use that to our own advantage, but humble ourselves and in so doing truly become more like Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father God, Your love is immeasurable! We stand in awe that You would send Your one and only Son to be pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and made an offering for our sin. Thank you Jesus for taking on the very nature of a servant and humbling yourself even unto death on a cross. You gave up Your divine privileges, so that we who were living without peace and hope can be united with Christ through His blood shed for us. We ask for the nature of Christ to be on display in our lives. May we live a life of humility and love that honors others as better than ourselves. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

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