Monday, October 15, 2007

like-minded

It would seem that the Lord continues to lead me to scripture that addresses the attitude of my mind. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:2 that we should all be 'like-minded'. He's speaking to the Church, to those who are 'united with Christ' (v1). He says to us, 'Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus' (v5). He then goes on to qualify his statement; Perhaps the Lord had every right to entertain a negative attitude, a frustrated and even angry attitude. Why? because in his very nature he is above all things, His 'name, is above every name' (v9), but for a season in time, he, '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. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! (v6-8).
Imagine the battle that could have taken place whithin his mind! and I say 'could have' intentionally. It would be easy to believe that he wrestled every day with his selfless position, for he was made in the likeness of man, but was still God (v5-6). 'But made himself nothing' (v7) literally means, "He emptied himself". He Stripped himself, he rid himself, dissacociated, separated, denied and deprived himself of his own self-interest. He 'humbled himself' (v8) and that is how he 'became obedient to death- even death on a cross (v8). It would seem that for a season, he made no attempt to 'grasp' the equality with God that was still his. But he lived every moment in complete submission to the Father. Why, so that i might see the glory of God.
It would seem that his own 'self interest' was (and is) in fact, you and I :-)

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