Background
Philippians 2:7-8 NKJV
“but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”
Good morning Beloved, it is another day with another progressive Word of the Lord. In continuation, of our current study, besides humility and sacrifice, we further explore Philippians 2. Although Christ took the form of man, He was able to fulfill the divine mandate. Was there no other divine form He could have adopted? What is so special about human nature that the Lord Himself would be so interested? What enabled him even in this mortal body to this point? Let’s dive into the Word…
Read carefully the scripture of study, Jesus took the form of a bondservant but was born in the likeness of man. David once asked what is man, that you are mindful of him, the son of man that You visit him? He continues by saying, for you have made him a little lower than angels(Psalms 8:4-5). You might be wondering, is this verse not contradictory to Genesis 1:26? I pray you catch this revelation-: Man was made in the image and likeness of God but did not possess the divine life of God. From the Psalmist’s statement, there is a divine host, heavenly beings in a realm where mortals cannot abide. Apostle Paul substantiates this in I Corinthians 15:40 NKJV;“there are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.” Man bore the image of God but had not the life of God. Hence the choice for the tree of knowledge of good and evil was made above the tree of life. However through faith in Christ man now shares in the life of God according to Ephesians 4:18 and 1John 5:12.
What is the relation of this phenomenon with bearing the mind of Christ? In Hebrews 2, the same statement was made in verse 7, the most relevant part is seen in verse 8; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet. You see beloved, according to Hebrews 2:5 KJV, it says unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come. This signifies that the earth is the dominion mandate of mankind or better still the realm of mortals. And on earth man has been given authority to reign and establish the purposes of God.
Our differences with the heavenly bodies is the realm we dwell, they have an advantage in the spirit whereas our manifestation finds a place on earth. The issue here is this, except man allows the Spiritual manifest through them, the counsel of God will not be made a reality. This is where bearing the mind of Christ becomes more relevant. Verse 9 of Hebrews 2, attests to how Jesus coming in the form of man was made lower than the angels, that He might for the suffering of death bring many of us into glory.
From the remaining verses of 14-17, we learn that we can bear the mind of Christ when we come to faith in the saving power of His sacrifice, we overcome the bondage of fear. Christ in the body of a mortal could bear the struggle of the flesh and yet show mercy and faithfulness for the propitiation for our sins. After He had borne these sufferings He is able to help those being tempted. So then the purpose of renewing our mind to bear the mind of Christ is to the end that we through faith in Him, partake in His sufferings and die to ourselves. Hence releasing us from selfish gain to manifest truly the love of God, that we might win many unto Him the savior of our souls.