Devotion 2/6, Children of God

In your relationships with one another have the same mindset as 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. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!   Philippians 2:5-8

It is important here to distinguish between Christ’s “positional” and “personal” equality with God. As to His Person, Christ always was, is, and will be equal with God. It would not be possible for Him to ever give that up….it is who He is (John 1:1-4). But “positional” equality is very different. He was positionally equal with His Father in heaven enjoying all the glories and splendor that is there. However, when He saw the lost condition of mankind, He did not grasp and hold on to His position, He gave it up willingly to take on the form of a man and come to this sin-sick dying world and offer Himself up as the final sacrifice for sin. When we place our faith in His bloodshed for the forgiveness of our sin, we become joint-heirs with Christ, and will spend eternity with Him in all the glory and splendor that is heaven!

From Philip Ware:  “What a glorious thought! What a lofty aspiration! What an incredible challenge! I am to have the same attitude as Jesus has. It’s almost unthinkable. But just almost! You see, God calls us to this glorious, lofty, and unthinkable height because he calls us his children. We are children of God! He wants us to be humble — servants to others just as Jesus, his Son, was. That means we don’t pursue greatness for our glory but to be willing to give ourselves to others to bless them!”

Almighty and Eternal Father, thank you for the unfathomable grace you displayed in Jesus. May his attitude of service, obedience, and sacrifice permeate my soul and influence my daily actions toward others. I pray in the name of Jesus, Lord of lords, and servant to all. Amen.

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