Anbetung der Hirten (Adoration of the Shepherds) (c. 1500–10), by Italian painter Giorgio da Castelfranco
On Philippians 2:5-9
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”Christmas should remind us to live for the best interest of others. In the Person of Christ, God willfully took on the limitations of human nature for the good of all mankind (1 John 2:2). B. B. Warfield encapsulates this thought in the following quote:
“So far is Paul from intimating, therefore, that Our Lord laid aside His Deity in entering upon His life on earth, that he rather asserts that He retained His Deity throughout His life on earth, and in the whole course of His humiliation, up to death itself, was consciously ever exercising self-abnegation, living a life which did not by nature belong to Him, which stood in fact in direct contradiction to the life which was naturally His!” (The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, “The Person of Christ”, Vol. 4; p. 2339.)What an amazing challenge to us to do the same (Philippians 2:3-4). Every moment of every day choosing to sacrifice my “rights” and desires for the benefit of others. Are you building up and edifying others with your actions and words, or tearing them down (Ephesians 4:29-32). Thank God for another person of the Trinity who lives inside us to enable us to this end (Galatians 5:22-23).
Amen! Thank God He came! Yes, wouldn’t it be great if He came again today! Merry Christmas Bro. Brent!
What an amazing, unselfish Saviour is ours in Jesus Christ! Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus!!! Thank You for coming, and we hope to see You soon.