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“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.” (Philippians 2:5-7, NIV)
Observations:
I asked myself what is there to
know about Jesus in these verses?
I looked for answers in the verses and came up with
these:
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Jesus being in very nature God.
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Jesus did not consider equality with God something to
be grasped.
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Jesus made himself nothing, taking the very nature of
a servant.
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Jesus being made in human likeness.
Interpretations:
I asked myself what it means when
it states, “Jesus being in very nature God?”
What came to my mind is that this verse confirmed to me
that Jesus is God. Since He is God, He has existed from the beginning and all
things were made by Him and through Him. In Him was the Light of life and the
darkness could never extinguish it.
Since He is God, I know He is the Author of our lives.
That is awesome to know that Jesus is the Author of my Life and yours too!
As an Author, He knows exactly what He has put in me
and how I am made of. He knows the beginning of my life and the ending of my
life. He also knows everything about me during the time span between those two.
Since He has the copyright to me no one can claim me as their own except the
Lord Himself! I belong to the Lord! (Verses in Psalm 139 explain this much
better)
If anyone tries to take credit for His creation of me,
they are committing plagiarism. Sadly, in this world many continue to do that by
not acknowledging the Author’s work in a human beings life but instead
attributing that life to evolution. How sad! I did not come from no ape but
created in my mother's womb by the Author of Life! You too!
I asked myself what it means
that, “Jesus did not consider equality with God something to be grasped”?
What came to my mind is that Jesus did not let his high
position influence things for his own benefit even though He is God. He did not
grasp on to his position of power and dictate how things ought to be. On the
contrary, He does something that is so mind boggling. He
made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant. That is so
amazing that Jesus would do that.
I asked myself what it means that
“Jesus made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant?
It reminded me of how Paul started his letter in
Philippians 1:
"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,…”
Jesus made Himself nothing claiming no rights but
instead came to serve humanity. He came to seek and save the lost. That is so
wonderful to know that the God of the Universe took time to be with the people
He created and decided to serve them. There are no words to describe it!
Especially knowing that He was made in human likeness is that much more
exciting.
I asked myself what does it mean
to be made in human likeness?
What came to my mind is Jesus came in human likeness to
be able to relate to us what we go through. He served as a human being on earth
though He is God. He experienced sorrow, joy, laughter, pain, and even death as
He related to us. But everything Jesus did He did it for you and me friend.
He was tempted by somebody He used to have good
fellowship with in the Heavenlies! That somebody was an Angel called Lucifer who
fell from heaven and roams the earth in different capacities waiting to have
evil fellowship now with people in his demonic way.
One day he approached Jesus and tempted Jesus 3 times
with physical, psychological, and power based temptations. Jesus did not give in
but claimed Scripture and threw it at Satan and defeated temptation. So Jesus
understands what we go through when we are tempted. He wants to help us!
He was betrayed by a close friend, He used to have
fellowship with on the earth. That somebody was Judas Iscariot who betrayed him
for money. One day he approached Jesus with a band of soldiers and betrayed him
with a kiss, a kiss. L Jesus was in
pain! So Jesus understands when we are betrayed and feels our pain. He wants to
help us!
These are only 2 examples and there are many more how
Jesus being made in human likeness understands what we go through and wants to
help us. The difference is that He did not sin!
Application:
I saw important implications from this passage for my
own life.
Wow! Jesus did a lot and overcame a lot and we are asked
to follow in His footsteps when it states “Your attitude
should be the same as that of Jesus Christ….”
I ask you now dear friend, will
you match Jesus’ attitude?
Dear friend it is exciting to know how Jesus lived His
life and how He set example after example for us to follow and match. He is the
best matchmaker! I believe our attitude can be like Christ, as we take our
lessons from the Master Himself and give ourselves to Him wanting to imitate
Christ.
I know it won’t be easy to be a servant when the world
emphasizes ‘me, self, I, individualistic, and power concepts’ but the Good News
is when we have Jesus in us, we won’t be trying to live a life of servant hood
on our own but we will be allowing Jesus to work in us and through us. He
created us and knows how He can help us the best. What we need to do is obey and
follow. It won’t be easy but thanks be to the Lord for His help!
It won’t be easy when we are tempted too because Satan
roams the earth like a hungry lion looking for someone to devour. Satan will set
trap after trap in our lives, trying to trap us into doing wrong by enticing and
seducing us his evil ways. If we go after the flesh, we will fulfill the lust of
the flesh and give into him. Just as he attacked Jesus in the wilderness with
the 3 P’s: Physical attack, Psychological attack, and Power attack, he will use
those 3 P’s to attack us too. He knows our weaknesses and will push the right
buttons to take us down and down. The 3 P's could come in different forms in
your life.
Though Satan comes prowling, there is Good News for He
cannot overcome the Lion of Judah on the Throne! Yes, friend! Jesus is the Lion
of Judah and will help us for He knows what works against the devil. Jesus used
Scripture to attack the devil to overcome temptations and has given us not only
those Scriptures but more in the Bible : “Breathe In Bible Live Eternally” for
us to overcome Satan’s temptations and attacks. But we need to take hold of the
Word and realize that Satan will attack us when we are the most vulnerable. We
will defeat temptation with the power of the Lord’s love and Word!
May you know that you can imitate the Author of Life as
He will work in you! Amen!
Jesus Emphasizes Serving Under
Scripture! (J.E.S.U.S)
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you so much for being the
Author of my Life. You know everything about me and you know what you put in me,
for you created me and authored me. Thank you Jesus for that means a lot to me!
I belong to you and no one can snatch me away from you even though people try to
plagiarize and give credit to false sources such as apes and
evolutionists for creating me. Forgive us Lord when we do not seek you with our
whole heart. It is so awesome to know that you are God and there is no other.
Not only that Jesus, for me you became a tiny baby and became a human being to
live on earth and serve so many people. Yet, you did not forget where you came
from and who you are. Thank you for your miracles and how much you understand
what we go through. You understand when we are tempted and betrayed. You
understand when we take a loss of a loved one. You understand so much and want
to offer yourself for us in our life. Thank you Jesus! I want my attitude to
reflect your lifestyle but I need your help so much for I cannot do it on my
own. Forgive me and help me. Thank you Jesus for the power of your love! Lord I
come to you, let my heart be filled with you! Lord, I come to know that anything
that is not of you can be stripped away by the power of your love. Hold me close
and let your love surround me. Bring me near and always draw me to your side. As
I wait I will rise up like an eagle and soar up as your Spirit leads me on. Let
me see you face to face is my prayer as I hold on to your Word and claim your
promises. Please renew my mind so that I can have your mind in the life I live.
I thank you Jesus for your love. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and
answered me! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen! (Part of the prayer uses
words from a vineyard song called “Power of your Love”)
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