“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
Philippians 2:6-7
Our God is very unlike almost everything in the created order. Things common to our everyday experience are local, limited, finite and dependent. God on the other hand is universal, everywhere present, unlimited in all His perfections, infinite and independent. “To whom will ye liken me,” asked the Almighty, “and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?” (Isaiah 46:5). When pagan, unregenerate man began to imagine what God was like, his unaided human reason necessarily led him astray. Paul explained that “professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:22-23). If God had not disclosed the truth about Himself, fallen man would forever be in the dark in matters concerning ultimate reality. At the beginning of the world, God made man in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). Because of man’s willful disobedience, however, the image of God in man has become warped and twisted. In some cases, it is almost beyond recognition. The human condition appeared hopeless; there was no way for us to regain a right standing before God or fix the warped image of God we were forced to bear (Matthew 19:25). God in His mercy, however, stepped in and did something very surprising. Whereas God made man in His own image at the beginning, in order to perform His redemptive work for man, God became man’s image-bearer! Paul explained that Christ came “in the likeness of sinful flesh” (Romans 8:3). Note the term “likeness” here. Christ indeed took a human nature and came in the flesh, but ever remains “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” (Hebrews 7:26). Undoubtedly there is mystery here (1 Timothy 3:16), but this much we know: Christ took a human nature not only to be our substitute sacrifice (2 Corinthians 5:21), but to be the ultimate Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). Our text continues, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name” (Philippians 2:8-9). Similar recognition and rewards await all of God’s people who follow the Lord’s example of selfless obedience (1 Corinthians 15:58). Our part in God’s redemptive drama is so wonderful we cannot help but exclaim with the great apostle Paul, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
God bless and encourage you today dear saints,
Pastor John
English