< Philippians 2 >

Paul exhorted the disciples to “be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind”. Each was to think like Jesus and develop a mind like his: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”.

Jesus was very great, being not only the Messiah, but also the Son of God. He was “in the form of God” but he did not make himself equal with God. Equality with God was a false charge levelled against him by the Jews which led them to put him to death John 5:18.Waiting for response for John 5:18 This false accusation is maintained by advocates of the trinity who claim the Son is equal with the Father. Jesus, however, repudiated this charge against himself and Paul shows that Christ, far from exalting himself to equality with his Father, “made himself of no reputation, and took on him the form of a slave... he humbled himself, and became obedient [to his Father] unto death”. Jesus was perfectly obedient “therefore God also hath highly exalted him above all”. We are exhorted to be like this - to be humble.

Jesus is now exalted at the Father’s right hand in heaven but we do not yet see all things put under him Hebrews 2:8.Waiting for response for Hebrews 2:8 However, when he returns to the earth, “Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”. This is the day for which all things are preparing and therefore Paul exhorted the disciples to “be blameless and harmless, the children of God without rebuke” and to “hold forth the word of life” that he might “rejoice in the day of Christ”.