The poured out life of Christ

189 the poured out life of christToday I would like to encourage you to heed the admonition that Paul gave to the Philippine Church. He asked her to do something and I will show you what this was about and ask you to decide to do the same.

Jesus was completely God and completely human. Another scripture that speaks of the loss of his divinity is found in Philippians.

«For this disposition be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, when he was in the form of God, did not hold fast like a robbery to be like God; but he emptied himself, took on the form of a servant and was made like man, and invented like a man in his outward appearance, he humbled himself and became obedient until death, even death on the cross. That is why God also exalted him above all crowds and gave him a name that is above all names, so that in the name of Jesus all knees of those who are in heaven and on earth and under earth bow and every tongue may confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, for the glory of God, »(Philippians. 2,5-11).

I would like to raise two things with these verses:

1. What Paul says about the nature of Jesus.
2. Why he says that.

Having determined why he has testified about Jesus' nature, we also have our decision for the year to come. However, the meaning of the verses 6-7 could easily be misinterpreted as meaning that Jesus had given up his divinity in whole or in part somehow. But Paul did not say that. Let's analyze these verses and see what he really says.

He was in the shape of God

Question: What does he mean by the figure of God?

Verses 6-7 are the only verses in the NT that contain the Greek word that Paul for
"Gestalt" used, but the Greek OT contains the word four times.
Richter 8,18 "And he said to Zebach and Zalmunna, How were the men that you killed in Tabor? They said: They were like you, each one as beautiful as royal children."
 
Hiob 4,16 "He stood there and I didn't recognize his appearance, a figure was before my eyes, I heard a voice whispering:"
Isaiah 44,13 “The carver stretches out the guideline, he draws it with a pencil, works it with carving knives and marks it out with a compass; and he makes it like a man's image, like a man's beauty, to dwell in a house."

Daniel 3,19 “Nebuchadnezzar was filled with anger, and the appearance of his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave the order that the oven should be made seven times hotter than usual.”
Paul means [the term form] that means Christ's glory and majesty. He possessed glory and majesty and all the insignia of divinity.

To be equal to God

The best comparable use of equality is found in John. Joh. 5,18 "Therefore the Jews now sought even more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, thereby making himself equal to God."

Paul thus thought of a Christ who was essentially equal to God. In other words, Paul said that Jesus had the full majesty of God and was in his nature God. On a human level, this would be the equivalent of saying that somebody had the appearance of a member of the royal family and was really a member of the royal family.

We all know people who act like royalty but aren't, and we read about certain members of royal families who don't act like royalty. Jesus had both "the appearance" and the essence of divinity.

held up like a robbery

In other words, something that you can use for your own benefit. It is very easy for privileged people to use their status for personal benefits. They are treated preferentially. Paul says that even though he was God in form and in essence, Jesus, as a human being, did not take advantage of this fact. Verses 7-8 show that his attitude was diametrically opposed.

Jesus disentangled himself

What was he missing out on? The answer is: nothing. He was completely God. God can not stop being God, not even for a while. He gave up nothing of the divine attributes or powers he had. He performed miracles. He could read thoughts. He used his power. And in the Transfiguration he showed his glory.

What Paul meant here can be seen from another verse in which he uses the same word for "emptyed."
1. Cor. 9,15 “But I have not made any use of it [these rights]; I didn't write this for the sake of keeping it that way with me. I would much rather die than have my fame ruined!”

"He gave up all his prerogatives" (GN1997 trans.), "he did not insist on his prerogatives. No, he renounced it” (Hope for All). As a human, Jesus did not use his divine nature or divine powers for his own benefit. He used them to preach the gospel, train the disciples, etc. - but never to make his life easier. In other words, he didn't use his power for his own benefit.

  • The heavy test in the desert.
  • When he called no fire from heaven to destroy unfriendly cities.
  • The crucifixion. (He said he could have summoned armies of angels in his defense.)

He gave up voluntarily all the benefits that he could have enjoyed as God in order to fully participate in our humanity. Let's read again the verses 5-8, and see how clear this point is now.

P 2,5-8 “For this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the likeness of God, did not cling to robbery to be equal to God; 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and being conformed to men, and found in outward appearance like a man, 8 humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.”

Then Paul closes with the remark that God finally exalted Christ above all human beings. Philip. 2,9
“Therefore God exalted him above all masses and gave him a name above all names. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

So there are three levels:

  • Christ's rights and privileges as God.

  • His choice not to exercise these rights, but rather to be a servant.

  • His ultimate increase as a result of this lifestyle.

Privilege - Service - Increase

Now the bigger question is why are these verses in Philippians? First, we need to remember that the Philippians is a letter written to a special church at a special time for specific reasons. Therefore, what Paul said in 2,5-11 says have to do with the purpose of the whole letter.

Purpose of the letter

First, we should remember that when Paul first visited Philippi and started the Church there, he was arrested (Acts 1 Dec.6,11-40). However, his relationship with the Church has been very warm from the start. Philippians 1,3-5 “I give thanks to my God whenever I think of you, 4 always in my every prayer for all of you, with joyful intercession 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”

He is writing this letter from the prison in Rome. Philippians 1,7 "It is only right that I think so of you all, because I have you in my heart, all of you who share in grace both in my bonds and in defending and affirming the gospel with me."
 
But he is neither depressed nor disappointed, but rather happy.
Phil. 2,17-18 “But even if I should be poured out like a libation over the sacrifice and priestly ministry of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all; 18 In the same way you also shall be glad and rejoice with me.”

Even as he wrote this letter, they continued to be very zealous in their support. Philip. 4,15-18 “And you Philippians also know that at the beginning [of the preaching] of the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, no congregation shared with me the reckoning of the receipts and expenditures but you alone; 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me once, and even twice, something to meet my needs. 17 I do not long for the gift, but I long for the fruit to be plentiful in your account. 18 I have everything and have plenty; I am fully provided for since I received your gift from Epaphroditus, a pleasant offering, acceptable to God.”

Thus, the tone of the letter implies close relationships, a strong Christian community of love and a willingness to serve and to suffer for the Gospel. But there are also signs that not everything is as it should be.
Phil. 1,27 "Only lead your lives worthy of the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you, standing steadfast in one spirit, striving with one accord for the faith of the gospel."
"Lead your life" - Greek. Politeuesthe means fulfilling one's obligations as a citizen of the community.

Paul is worried, because he sees that in Philippi once so obvious attitudes of community and love have some tensions. Internal disagreement threatens the community's love, unity and community.
Philippians 2,14 "Do everything without grumbling or hesitation."

Philip. 4,2-3 “I admonish Evodia and I admonish Syntyche to be of one mind in the Lord.
3 And I also ask you, my faithful fellow servant, take care of those who fought with me for this, along with Clemens and my other co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

In short, the community of believers had problems when some became selfish and arrogant.
Philip. 2,1-4 "If there is [among you] admonition in Christ, if there is reassurance of love, if there is fellowship of the Spirit, if there is tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy full, being of one mind, having like love, being of one mind and be mindful of one thing. 3 Do nothing out of selfishness or vain ambition, but in humility consider one another higher than oneself.

We see the following problems here:
1. There are clashes.
2. There are power struggles.
3. You are ambitious.
4. They are conceited by insisting on their own ways.
5. This shows an exaggeratedly high self-assessment.
 
They are primarily concerned with their own interests.

It's easy to fall into all these settings. I have seen them in me and others over the years. It is also so easy to blind oneself that these attitudes are wrong for a Christian. The verses 5-11 basically look to the example of Jesus, to let the air out of all arrogance and all selfishness that can so easily attack us.

Paul says: Do you think that you are better than others and deserve respect and honor from the church? Consider how great and powerful Christ really was. Paul says: You do not want to submit to others, you do not want to serve without recognition, you are annoyed because others see you as given? Consider what Christ was willing to do without.

"In William Hendrick's excellent book Exit Interviews [interviews at the exit] he reports
about a study he made about those who left the church. A lot of 'church growth' people stand at the front door of the church and ask people why they came. In this way you wanted to try to meet the 'perceived need' of the people you wanted to achieve. But few, if any, are standing at the back door to ask why they are leaving. That's what Hendricks did, and the results of his study are worth reading.

As I read through the comments from those who had left, I was amazed (along with some somewhat very insightful and painful comments from some thoughtful people who left) what some people expected of the Church. They wanted all sorts of things that are not essential to the church; like being admired, receiving 'cuddles' and expecting others to meet all their needs with no obligation of one's own to meet the needs of others "(The Plain Truth, Jan 2000, 23).

Paul points the Philippians to Christ. He urges them to live their lives within the Christian community as Christ did. If they lived like this, God will glorify them just as they did Christ.

Philip. 2,5-11
“For this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the likeness of God, did not cling to the likeness of God as spoil; 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and being conformed to men, and found in outward appearance like a man, 8 humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God also exalted him above all things and gave him a name above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, 11 and every tongue, in heaven and on earth and under the earth confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Paul claims that fulfilling his personal obligation as a citizen of the heavenly kingdom is to express oneself as Jesus did and to accept the role of a servant. One must give oneself not only to receive grace but also to suffer (1,57.29-30). Philip. 1,29 "For you have been given grace, concerning Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake."
 
One must be willing to serve others (2,17) to be “poured out” – to have an attitude and lifestyle different from the values ​​of the world (3,18-19). Philip. 2,17 "Even though I should be poured out like a libation upon the sacrifice and priestly ministry of your faith, yet I rejoice and rejoice with you all."
Philip. 3,18-19 “For many walk, as I have often told you, but now I also say weeping, as enemies of the cross of Christ; 19 their end is destruction, their god is their belly, they boast in their shame, and their minds are on earthly things.”

It takes true humility to understand that being "in Christ" means being a servant, because Christ came into the world not as a Lord but as a servant. Unity comes from serving God through service to one another .

There is a risk of being selfishly concerned about one's own interests at the expense of others, as well as developing an arrogance stemming from pride in one's status, talents or achievements.

The solution to problems in interpersonal relationships lies in an attitude of humble engagement with others. A spirit of self-sacrifice is an expression of the love for other love explained in Christ, which was "obedient to death, yes to death on"!

Real servants abandon themselves. Paul uses Christ to explain this. He had every right not to choose the path of a servant, but could claim his rightful status.

Paul tells us that there is no room for a religion of well-being that does not seriously practice its servant role. There is also no room for piety that does not emanate even completely pouring out for the interests of others.

Conclusion

We live in a society dominated by self-interest, permeated by the “me first” philosophy and shaped by the corporate ideals of efficiency and success. But these are not the values ​​of the church as defined by Christ and Paul. The body of Christ must again aim for Christian humility, unity and communion. We must serve others and make it our primary responsibility to perfect love through deeds. An attitude of Christ, like humility, does not demand rights or protection of one's interests, but is ever ready to serve.

by Joseph Tkach