The Humility Kicks IN!

Today's Text: 2:5-11

Translation: NKJV

I have heard this passage labled the epitemy of humility, and the why of this is pretty obvious. Vs's. 5-8 talk that Christ didn't consider being equal with God something to be grasped, but humbled himself by taking human form, and humbled himself in obedience even to the point of death. Let's get one thing strait- Christ didn't have to consider himself on par with God because he already was, is and always will be equal with God the Father because he IS God. Christ is the 2nd part of the triune God, 3-in-one. Now, this makes salvation even more mystical. Christ humbled himself to OUR status as a created being in order that we might be saved. How cool is that? He didn't have to do that and who could justifiably blame him if he didn't? Man is a fallen, rebellious creation, dexerving of eternal damnation and what does Christ do? He humbles himself, takes on the flesh of man, and all its foibles, dies on the cross and is raised from the dead on the 3rd day.

In Vs's. 9-11, Paul says that God has exalted Him and Given a name that when the world hears it, every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. We must remember that it is the NAME of JESUS CHRIST that will cause the nations to bow. Christ is the Son's title, Jesus is his name, and that name is above all names.

As we go into the last couple of weeks of Lent, let us remember exactly what Christ did for us. He humbled himself to our level, a fallen and rebellious creation, died unconditionally for the sins of us, his elect, and put His favor on us such that we cannot resist it or truly fall away from our salvation. To God be the glory.

Phil. #6

Passage: Pill. 2:1-3

This is a pretty short passage, so I'll keep it short and sweet. If you think of any other point, post them in the comments section.
The first verse Paul is asking some basic rhetorical questions that if something is like this - "Consolation in Christ"- then something else flows from it-"being likeminded". Now, the obvious question that arises is if Paul’s joy arises out of the Phillipian Church's being of one mind, then how can we as Christians today be of one mind? Well, the first thing to do might be to agree on how to interpret the Bible- i.e. is it the true, inerrant, inspired word of God, or is it fallible. Then move on from there to agreeing on major points of doctrine and theology- i.e. the virgin birth, Jesus' resurrection, along with views on church discipline, the palagian controversy, etc. If you don't have at least a small amount of like-mindedness in your thinking and interpretation of scripture then you are most likely going to wind up with some problems among your fellow believers.

The 3rd verse is pretty self explanatory- don't do anything to puff you up, but do as much as possible in meekness and humility. Now as Christians we know that everything we do is tainted by our sin nature, even though we are saved.
We can only strive thro9ugh the aid of the Holy Spirit to have meekness and humility (This is part of sanctification and the Westminster Larger Catechism- see Q's about 70-79. This text does a much better job of expounding upon this major doctrine of the faith than I can here).