Daily Readings and Thought for April 8th. “THEREFORE GOD HAS HIGHLY EXALTED HIM”

 Paul’s letter to the Philippians is the most positive of all his letters because there were fewer problems in Philippi than other places.  He asks them to “complete my joy by being of the same mind … being in full accord … do nothing from rivalry and conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” [Ch.2 v.2,3] 

This is an attitude that is completely different to normal human attitudes, the worst examples of which we see in political circles, but sadly, some measure of it also occurs amongst among those who claim the name of Christ. We read a few days ago of Paul’s lament, “I am in the anguish of childbirth until Christ be formed in you!” [Gal 4 v.19]. Christ is only formed in us when we really become like Christ with a submissive attitude, this is the point he makes in this chapter in Philippians. 

Paul next points out the affect that Christ-likeness should have, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” [v.4] He gives Christ as the example. Jesus grew up knowing that God was his father, he showed this as a 12 year old in the temple (Luke 2 v.49) but, says Paul, he “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing … he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.” [v.6-8] 

It was because of this wonderful spirit of submission, which is an example to us, that Paul stresses what this then led to; “therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him a name that is above every name” [v.9] So Christ is the supreme example to follow.  In following his example of submissive obedience we will be rewarded as our Lord was rewarded; a reward that is completed for him when “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth … and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [v.10,11]  It is a great pity that in later centuries this wonderful truth became confused as a “mystery” by contorted human reasoning.  Let us hold fast to the inspired words of Scripture and, in this case, the example it sets before us of a wonderful spirit of submission.