Have you ever thought about those 6 words? Have you ever considered that the Bible is a love letter to you from God? That regardless of anything and every one – God sent His love to you personally? That He thought so much of you that He wanted you to know just how special and wanted and loved and unique and important you are. That He would send His Son to bridge the gap between the Himself and you and assume all of your sin so that relationship could be restored? He has. He did. And His Son willingly gave His life even if you had been the only one. (Philippians 2:5-7, AMP)
“Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus
[look to Him as your example in selfless humility], who, although
He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with
Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire
nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be
grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it, or was afraid
of losing it]; but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing
His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of
divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a
bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became
completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man].
Can you even wrap your head around this? How does that reality, that truth make you feel? When you consider the words ‘same attitude’, do you realize that this is the foundation concerning how we should interact with one another? ‘Superiority’ is NOT a trait, quality to be used as a weapon against others – indirectly or overtly. We all come as sinners and in our acceptance of the Lord’s free gift, we become one in Him.
“For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually
transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set
apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in
Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26, AMP)
“There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor
Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female;
for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a
spiritual superiority]” (Galatians 3:28, AMP)
My interpretation (and understanding) is that no one has a boast, no one is superior, but that we all have received a gift that is incomparable. We should all clasp hands to work together. Never forget the scriptures (in addition to Galatians): Ephesians 4:1-6, John 17: 20-23, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, etc. And this only begins to scratch the surface.
Finally… do you know what you can do and say that will demonstrate your answer? Your actions, especially when you are under stress or temptation, that you do walk the talk, that you have your armor on, that you know Whose you are and who’s really your enemy. And that Love never, never fails. (1 Corinthians 13).
