Compassed About Me

Letting Go...

(Phil 2:6 [NET])
who though he existed in the form of God did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped,

(Phil 2:6 [KJV])
Who G3739, being G5225 in G1722 the form G3444 of God G2316, thought it G2233 not G3756 robbery G725 to be G1511 equal G2470 with God G2316:

Paul says it clearly enough:

Before the Incarnation, Jesus was in the FORM [G3444=MORPHE] of God and was not taking anything [robbing] that didn't belong to Him by being in that position. Nevertheless, He did not hold onto that position because it was God's will that He take the FORM [G3444=MORPHE] of a servant in order to redeem the world.

So, really, in one sentence, Paul affirms that Jesus was the same 'stuff' [or whatever word you want to use that describes the nature and essence of God] as God and then reaffirms that this condition naturally means that Jesus is EQUAL to God.

Beautiful language to be sure, and fills out the understanding we get from John in the first couple of verses of his gospel.

[Although, on second thought, John probably wrote his gospel later so the process of that revelation was reversed in the early churches...]

Chris

7 Words to Peace

I heard this at church this morning from Len Sweet:

Php 4:6  Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.

Php 4:7  And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds5 in Christ Jesus.

Anxious, nothing
Prayer, everything
Thanksgiving, anything

Peace

Repeat as necessary.

Chris

Form over Substance...

Php 2:5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
Php 2:6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7  but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

In the above passage, "form" in 2:6 and 2:7 is the translation of this word:

G3444
μορφή
morphē
mor-fay'
Perhaps from the base of G3313 (through the idea of adjustment of parts); shape; figuratively nature: - form.

Form is most accurately defined as what something really is.  In other words, Paul is saying Jesus was just like God and when he became a servant He really was a servant.

In contrast, "form" in 2:8 is translation of another word:

G4976
σχῆμα
schēma
skhay'-mah
From the alternate of G2192; a figure (as a mode or circumstance), that is, (by implication) external condition: - fashion.

Paul is saying that Jesus was a man because He looked like a man. 

So, to sum up, Jesus was God, He was man, and He LOOKED LIKE a man. 

How does this apply to this passage?

Luk 19:35  And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it.
Luk 19:36  And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road.
Luk 19:37  As he was drawing near--already on the way down the Mount of Olives--the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen,
Luk 19:38  saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Luk 19:39  And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples."
Luk 19:40  He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out."
Luk 19:41  And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,

I believe it is rather simple:  Jesus had come to Jerusalem, not to free the Jews, kick out the Romans, and re-establish David's kingdom. 

Not at all.

He came to reestablish the "morphe" of the Kingdom of God to replace the "schema" with which the Jews seemed to be satisfied. 

You see, the Jews had the Temple, the Sanhedrin, the rabbis and the synagogues but they did not have the one thing that was really necessary:  They didn't have God.  They chose to have form over substance.  They had a false religion, really.  It looked like the Kingdom of God but the reality was that it was just a "schema" of the Kingdom of God. 

Jesus was not satisfied with this.  His intent was to put the "God" back into the Kingdom of God.  His intention was to make the Kingdom a REAL Kingdom, a "morphe" Kingdom, from its outward appearance all the way down to the very core of its being.

And that is exactly what He did. 

It is my hope, on this Palm Sunday, that you remember what Jesus did  and not settle for something in your life that just looks like the Kingdom of God.  I hope you have the real thing.

Chris

Humility...

Php 2:8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Since Jesus is the first of many brothers, it is extremely relevant to know what Paul means when he says Jesus humbled Himself.  Yes, it is true that sacrificing Himself on the Cross is the pinnacle of humility, but in terms of day to day life, what does humility mean?

Fortunately, the answer is simple.  Well, let me restate that.  It is simple to understand, difficult to carry out.  It is found in Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount.

Here are a few examples:

Mat 5:11  "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Mat 5:12  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Notice the response is NOT to fight back, that would be the way of the flesh. 

Mat 5:39  But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Mat 5:40  And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

Mat 5:41  And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
Mat 5:42  Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Mat 5:43  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
Mat 5:44  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Mat 5:45  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.

Do you know what makes this really hard?  Unlike most teachers down through the ages, Jesus actually practiced what He preached and demonstrated the righteousness of what He said.  And since He gives us the power to be like Him, He really does expect us to do the same.

Chris

Made Nothing...

Php 2:6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
Php 2:7  but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Php 2:8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

I had another point to make, but I just noticed something there in v7:

Jesus, in being made like us, was made nothing.

Takes care of my self centered worldview, that's for sure.

Chris

The Real Need is Peace...

Php 4:9  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Php 4:10  I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
Php 4:11  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
Php 4:12  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
Php 4:13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Php 4:14  Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
Php 4:15  And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
Php 4:16  Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
Php 4:17  Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
Php 4:18  I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
Php 4:19  And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Php 4:20  To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

This is a pivotal passage in our understanding of what true prosperity is, for in it Paul specifically UNLINKS physical prosperity from the idea of having the peace of God in Christ Jesus. 

That statement is so important I am going to write it again:

Paul redefines the blessings of God in Christ Jesus to EXCLUDE things of the flesh. 

Paul makes the point that yes, he has been in situations where he has had nothing, and he has also been in situations where he has had much.  But the inference is clear:  having the peace of God is so paramount that his physical circumstances are relatively unimportant, except for the understanding that he does have needs that must be met in order for him to do what God has called him to do.

So, what can we say about this?  The principle is simple:  God provides for our needs according to His plans for us, not to "bless" us or to show His love for us. 

He showed His love for us at the Cross and the Empty Tomb. 

Being in possession of that love and the peace that arises from it is true prosperity.

Chris

Being Content

Php 4:11  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. Php 4:12  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. Php 4:13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Yesterday evening at Church the issue of contentment arose.  I didn't think I had what qualified as an especially good answer at the time, but upon further reflection today I can to a bit better.  As usual, I have found the answer not in my thoughts but in what the Bible actually says. 

I think most people know Phil 4:13.  I know my wife Lea does, as it is one of her favorite verses.  That verse is actually the answer to the question:

How can I find contentment? 

Paul says he has LEARNED how to be content in many situations, as 4:12 says.   He has done it  through Christ.  I think that the  only question that remains to be asked is:

How does Christ strengthen us?  We know that this question is crucial so that we can take advantage of His help.  Phil 4 gives us the answers we need:

1.  Php 4:3  Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Our names, as believers in Christ, are in the Book of LIfe!  We labor together, not to some uncertain end, but towards a certain future.  So, we work for something worthwhile and valuable.  We are not wasting our time.  Certainly this leads to contentment.

2.  Php 4:6  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

We have complete and unequivocal access to God through our perfect High Priest.  He stands for us, presenting our petitions to the Throne.  Certainly knowing that God cares enough to make this possible, and even condescends to answer those prayers, leads to contentment.

3.  Php 4:8  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

All these things, do they get into our hearts and minds because of our own effort and reason?  Certainly not.  They get there because God has put them there.  We understand and appreciate these things because He has revealed them to us and enables us to understand them.  They are a gift and they are worth more than anything we could ever hope to attain on our own.  This understanding, this ability to see as God sees, leads to contentment.

Paul understood these things, but as for us, his understanding was the result of a process.  May we too engage in that process learn the contentment that Paul is expressing.

Chris