Philippians 2:6-7 (AMP) Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,
7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.
A dear friend responded to yesterday's thoughts on God's amazing grace with the comment that even after all these years that he cries every time he hears that song. I echo that remark, especially when I listen to the recent Chris Tomlin adaption which includes "my chains are gone, I've been set free". Today's verses go a little deeper into this amazing grace. What Jesus gave up, what he left to offer us that grace.
This morning I read the following quote from John Flavel - "The condition of Jesus Christ before his incarnation was a state of the highest and most unspeakable delight and pleasure, in the enjoyment of his Father.
He was not liable to any of those sorrowful consequences of that frail and feeble state of humanity, which he afterwards assumed. He was unacquainted with griefs; there was no sorrowing or sighing in that bosom where he lay.
He never underwent reproach and shame in that bosom, there was nothing but glory and honor reflected upon him by his Father, though afterwards he was despised, and rejected of men. His holy heart was never offended with an impure suggestion or temptation of the Devil. There were no hidings or withdrawings of his Father from him; there was not a cloud from eternity upon the face of God, till Jesus Christ had left that bosom.
All these things were new things to Christ; he was above them all — till for our sakes he voluntarily subjected himself unto them. "
He was not liable to any of those sorrowful consequences of that frail and feeble state of humanity, which he afterwards assumed. He was unacquainted with griefs; there was no sorrowing or sighing in that bosom where he lay.
He never underwent reproach and shame in that bosom, there was nothing but glory and honor reflected upon him by his Father, though afterwards he was despised, and rejected of men. His holy heart was never offended with an impure suggestion or temptation of the Devil. There were no hidings or withdrawings of his Father from him; there was not a cloud from eternity upon the face of God, till Jesus Christ had left that bosom.
All these things were new things to Christ; he was above them all — till for our sakes he voluntarily subjected himself unto them. "
What does that grace, what does God's gift do to you? It may bring tears to your eyes or it may leave you "speechless". Consider these words from the Steven Curtis Chapman song in relation to the passage in Philippians and John Flavel's remarks.
And I am speechless I'm astonished and amazed
I am silenced by your wondrous grace
You have saved me
You have raised me from the grave
And I am speechless in your presence now
I'm astounded as I consider how
You have shown us
A love that leaves us speechless
I am silenced by your wondrous grace
You have saved me
You have raised me from the grave
And I am speechless in your presence now
I'm astounded as I consider how
You have shown us
A love that leaves us speechless
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Philippians 2:5-8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) - Christ's Humility and Exaltation
5 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,
6 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be used for His own advantage.
7 Instead He emptied Himself
by assuming the form of a slave,
taking on the likeness of men.
And when He had come as a man
in His external form,
8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
did not consider equality with God
as something to be used for His own advantage.
7 Instead He emptied Himself
by assuming the form of a slave,
taking on the likeness of men.
And when He had come as a man
in His external form,
8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
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