… being made in human likeness.
Summary: As Paul turns the conversation to the nature of Jesus Christ, we discover a dangerous detour that tempts us away from Paul’s main point into a tarpit of our own making.
Before we dive into today’s passage, we need to have a little talk about theology.
One of the reasons there are different Protestant traditions has to do with how people define the word “theology.” Most likely, if you are reading this meditation, you come from one of these theological backgrounds. (If you don’t come from a church background, please bear with me for a few moments. This might help explain why some of your Christian brothers and sisters don’t get along.)
Theology in its simplest form is the study of God. Our position here is that if God could create the universe and all that is in it, he could get a book published, too, and it would be exactly the way he wanted it.
Not everyone agrees with this position.
Some construct what we might call human theology—that is, frameworks and ideas about God that arise not from Scripture, but from human reasoning. These systems often attempt to explain what God has not revealed. Regardless of how intelligent or historical they may be, such theology stands on human authority, not divine revelation. For our part, we choose to build our understanding of God from what he has chosen to reveal in his Word.
Paul isn’t forcing us to unravel the mystery of Christ’s physical nature. He’s pointing us to something far more accessible—and far more demanding: the nature of love (1 John 4:8).
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As we begin, let’s keep in mind that Paul is talking about the “mindset” of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5). Everything that follows is predicated on that topic.
Paul begins by telling us Jesus is “in very nature God” (v 6). Then he explains that Jesus took on the “nature of a servant” (v 7). These two natures would seem to be total opposites, yet Jesus embodies them both.
What kind of “mindset” does this represent?
Then Paul says that Jesus was “made in human likeness.” What does that mean? Is Paul trying to give us a clue as to the mechanics of how God became man?
I don’t think so.
Paul simply wants us to know that Jesus, the man who changed the world, embodies the nature of God and the nature of a servant in a way we can relate to — a human likeness.
If this is hard to understand, it is because human nature, that is, the corrupted nature of mankind without the Holy Spirit, is mostly concerned with itself. Everything else is secondary. When the serpent tempted Eve, both Adam and Eve were changed forever. Their nature was corrupted by evil (Genesis 3:4).
God made us to be in his image (Genesis 1:27). Paul is explaining how Jesus’ life reveals the true nature of God, a nature he wants us to conform to by the power of his resurrection and his Spirit (Romans 12:2).
Application: Allow God to remake our minds in his image.
Food for Thought: How does adopting Jesus’ mindset change our lives?
How does adopting Jesus’ mindset change our lives?
Humility not pride
In pride we tend to only see our perspective and how we will “lose” if we do not act. It is difficult to be compassionate under these terms. In humility before Christ we can see that through Him we will never lose what is important. The loss of fear empowers us to look at others as Christ sees them: loved unconditionally. We too see ourselves as loved unconditionally.
1 Peter 5:5-6 Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Proverbs 29:23 One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Generosity not greed
We are enabled to give freely and with a glad heart, without condition. There is a difference in giving because we think we are supposed to, and giving because we want to. I would dare to speculate that the former still serves Christ, but the latter brings joy.
1 Timothy 6:6–10 But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Proverbs 11:24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
Service not self-serving
Self-service is exhausting. Like filling a barrel with a cup where there is a hole in the bottom. Service through Christ to others is drawing from the well of life with the living water.
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
Focus on God’s priorities not our own plans
Oftentimes, our own agendas get in the way of the blessings God wants to give us. Letting go of ourselves and focusing on God’s purpose builds up the Kingdom, which we are a part of. Trusting God means obeying Him, loving Christ means obeying His commands. We know from God’s word that He is love, that His will is love and to love us. We know Christ loves us. It makes more sense to me to follow His plans than my own agenda.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Thank you, Chris!
Very well said. God’s mindset is opposite from the flesh in almost every way.