Let This Mind Be In You...
This week, we're going to take a look at one of the most intriguing and mysterious summaries of the life and death of Jesus. This is a brief section of scripture, but it is very profound, and contains indisputable facts which prove beyond a doubt the deity of Christ. So, let's read Phillippians chapter 2, verses 5-11...Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul begins in verse 5 by telling us that we are to be of the same mind as Jesus, that is, to model ourselves after His supreme example of humility and meekness. This is an extremely difficult thing for us as humans to do, and Jesus understands this. He does, however, expect us to put forth every effort in order to stay in this mindset, and to practice this humility.
Verse 6 begins with a very powerful and at the same time very controversial statement...Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:...This simple phrase has been the source of much dispute throughout the years, because it points directly to the deity of Jesus as the Second Person of the Trinity. So much so, in fact, that many other "versions" of the bible have sought to change, reword, rephrase, or remove it altogether. As an example, in place of the phrase "thought it not robbery to be equal with God", the English Standard Version as well as the Revised Standard Version read, "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." This rephrasing is nothing but blasphemy in its purest form. Satan has entered into the minds of these writers, just as he entered into the mind of Judas, in order to create doubt as to the validity of the deity of Christ. So, what are the differences between the way that the verse was originally written, and the way that these other versions render it? In the King James Version, the phrase is translated word for word from the original Greek text, to read, "thought it not robbery to be equal with God", meaning that Jesus did not consider Himself to be taking any liberties, or taking on a title which he did not have a right to, in order to be considered equal with God, as He said in John 10:30, "I and my Father are one." The other aforementioned versions of the bible re-translate the phrase to read, "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." This completely changes the meaning of the verse. This phrase is saying that Jesus did not consider Himself worthy to be considered equal with God, in other words, that He was merely human. This strips Christ of His deity. Even if every other word was translated exactly the same as the original text, this one glaring example of heresy should be enough for us to see that these other versions are simply not to be trusted. Unfortunately, however, this is just one of many heresies which these other versions subtly attempt to ingrain into the subconscious mind of the reader. Also, let's look at John 1:1..."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Remember, also, when all of Thomas' doubt was removed as he touched Jesus' side, and felt the nail scars in His hands. He exclaimed in John 20:28, "...My Lord and My God." Jesus did not correct or reprove Thomas, because what he had spoken was the truth. In fact, Jesus told him..."because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." It would be robbery in the highest degree for any mere mortal to claim equality with God, or to profess himself to be one with the Father. Jesus was the only one who could legitimately lay claim to equality with the Father, because He and the Father are one.
Verse 7 tells us that Jesus made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Think about the wording here...Jesus made himself of no reputation...we are told in John 1:3...All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made which was made. Jesus chose to make himself of low degree, of no regard. He is the maker of all things, and yet He chose to take no glory upon Himself, as He voluntarily assumed a human form, emptying Himself of all glory in the process, and was born into a human body. The very creator of the universe, born as a helpless baby, and entirely by choice. This is the ultimate example of humility. He lived His life on earth in service to others, seeking to save sinners, and as we are told in verse 8, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. No more humiliating death could be imagined than that of crucifixion.
It was not only the most shameful and demeaning form of execution, but it was also accursed by the law, and it was intentionally made as physically painful as possible. Not only was this a horrific way to die, but Jesus was also made a public spectacle, executed as a common criminal. Again, this was of His own free will, and completely voluntary. Jesus said, speaking of His life, in John 10:18...No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. So we see, not only did Jesus choose this life, He also chose this death. His life was lived in such a way as to supply us with the supreme example of humility, and we are to try our best to emulate His meekness, to be of the same mind. His blood was shed in order to pay the price for our sins, to be the sacrifice that was required in order to satisfy the righteous judgment of God.
In verses 9, 10, and 11 we see that because of Jesus' willingness to humble Himself in this way, that God has highly exalted Him, so much so that His name is above every other name. At the name of Jesus, all manner of evil must flee. All disease, all sickness, oppression, addiction, sadness, all poverty, must flee. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Those of us who have believed and have been saved will gladly bow and confess His name, but what about all those throughout history who have refused His salvation? The bible tells us that they will also ultimately bow and confess the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord. When they reach the end of their days, they will be faced with the horrible realization that their lives were wasted chasing things that simply didn't matter. All of their efforts to gain fortune, fame, and popularity were for naught. Nothing else matters except for our belief in, and reliance on, the precious blood of Jesus. We need to pray for those who are lost, that we would be an example of His light, so that those who don't believe might see something in us that makes them question, makes them wonder, what it is that we have that others don't. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. May His Spirit always lead us in the paths of righteousness, keep us in the will of God, and help us to have the mind of Christ.
Paul begins in verse 5 by telling us that we are to be of the same mind as Jesus, that is, to model ourselves after His supreme example of humility and meekness. This is an extremely difficult thing for us as humans to do, and Jesus understands this. He does, however, expect us to put forth every effort in order to stay in this mindset, and to practice this humility.
Verse 6 begins with a very powerful and at the same time very controversial statement...Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:...This simple phrase has been the source of much dispute throughout the years, because it points directly to the deity of Jesus as the Second Person of the Trinity. So much so, in fact, that many other "versions" of the bible have sought to change, reword, rephrase, or remove it altogether. As an example, in place of the phrase "thought it not robbery to be equal with God", the English Standard Version as well as the Revised Standard Version read, "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." This rephrasing is nothing but blasphemy in its purest form. Satan has entered into the minds of these writers, just as he entered into the mind of Judas, in order to create doubt as to the validity of the deity of Christ. So, what are the differences between the way that the verse was originally written, and the way that these other versions render it? In the King James Version, the phrase is translated word for word from the original Greek text, to read, "thought it not robbery to be equal with God", meaning that Jesus did not consider Himself to be taking any liberties, or taking on a title which he did not have a right to, in order to be considered equal with God, as He said in John 10:30, "I and my Father are one." The other aforementioned versions of the bible re-translate the phrase to read, "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped." This completely changes the meaning of the verse. This phrase is saying that Jesus did not consider Himself worthy to be considered equal with God, in other words, that He was merely human. This strips Christ of His deity. Even if every other word was translated exactly the same as the original text, this one glaring example of heresy should be enough for us to see that these other versions are simply not to be trusted. Unfortunately, however, this is just one of many heresies which these other versions subtly attempt to ingrain into the subconscious mind of the reader. Also, let's look at John 1:1..."In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Remember, also, when all of Thomas' doubt was removed as he touched Jesus' side, and felt the nail scars in His hands. He exclaimed in John 20:28, "...My Lord and My God." Jesus did not correct or reprove Thomas, because what he had spoken was the truth. In fact, Jesus told him..."because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." It would be robbery in the highest degree for any mere mortal to claim equality with God, or to profess himself to be one with the Father. Jesus was the only one who could legitimately lay claim to equality with the Father, because He and the Father are one.
Verse 7 tells us that Jesus made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Think about the wording here...Jesus made himself of no reputation...we are told in John 1:3...All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made which was made. Jesus chose to make himself of low degree, of no regard. He is the maker of all things, and yet He chose to take no glory upon Himself, as He voluntarily assumed a human form, emptying Himself of all glory in the process, and was born into a human body. The very creator of the universe, born as a helpless baby, and entirely by choice. This is the ultimate example of humility. He lived His life on earth in service to others, seeking to save sinners, and as we are told in verse 8, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. No more humiliating death could be imagined than that of crucifixion.
In verses 9, 10, and 11 we see that because of Jesus' willingness to humble Himself in this way, that God has highly exalted Him, so much so that His name is above every other name. At the name of Jesus, all manner of evil must flee. All disease, all sickness, oppression, addiction, sadness, all poverty, must flee. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Those of us who have believed and have been saved will gladly bow and confess His name, but what about all those throughout history who have refused His salvation? The bible tells us that they will also ultimately bow and confess the fact that Jesus Christ is Lord. When they reach the end of their days, they will be faced with the horrible realization that their lives were wasted chasing things that simply didn't matter. All of their efforts to gain fortune, fame, and popularity were for naught. Nothing else matters except for our belief in, and reliance on, the precious blood of Jesus. We need to pray for those who are lost, that we would be an example of His light, so that those who don't believe might see something in us that makes them question, makes them wonder, what it is that we have that others don't. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:16...Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven. May His Spirit always lead us in the paths of righteousness, keep us in the will of God, and help us to have the mind of Christ.
Comments
Post a Comment