The Pilgrim Path---Philippians 2: 5—11

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.

HAVE THIS MIND…

Christmas is coming. The year 2020 draws to a close. How do we wrap it all up and even begin to prepare for 2021? The Apostle Paul, moved by the Holy Spirit, tells us to, “have the mind of Christ.” Most fitting! A tremendous gift for all who know us. As Eugene Peterson used to say, “our neighbors do not need more of us---our loved ones do not need more of us---the people who work beside us, do not need more of us---they need more of Jesus Christ!” How true. This Christ Hymn in Philippians chapter two-- tells the story of our Master:

Verse 5---Have the mind of Christ: Such condescension. We are glad to be children of the King. We are “here” for HIS Kingdom and not here---for the establishment of a kingdom of our own…

Verse 6---He did not have to look the part while walking this earth. No angelic entourage. No mansions. No maids. No trillions to spend. He left it all---to minister to us: so, we would not be left to death, hell, and the power of sin…

Verse 7---He emptied Himself---not of deity---but of claims of honor and reverence. He came to serve. What a Savior is Jesus Christ!

Verse 8---He humbled Himself---even to the death of the Cross. First, the cross---then the crown. It is always this way in God’s economy. Die---to live. And the LORD Jesus willingly died for us…what a Savior is Jesus Christ! This Christ of Christmas!

Verse 9---He is highly exalted now---at the right hand of the Father on high. He is Son and LORD.

Verse 10---He will ultimately have all acknowledge His majesty and deity. Can you imagine every knee bowing in submission to HIM? Will you bow because He is your Savior and supreme Love---or will you bow---because finally---you must?

Verse 11---He will hear every tongue confess HE is LORD---to the Glory of God the Father. Will you remain with Jesus “after” that confession---or will you be separated from HIS love and mercy? Oh my---run to the Living Christ---run from “your way” and say to Him, “my LORD and my GOD.” This Christ of Christmas---is ready to receive all who come to Him in child-like faith!

Spurgeon used to say that we battle with pride until the day we die. The Apostle Paul is telling us in this great Christ Hymn to emulate the humility of Jesus the LORD. Here are some pointers from Dr. Joel Beeke on “how” to subdue pride and breed humility (they have shown up here before):

---Seek a deeper knowledge of God, his attributes, and His glory. Job and Isaiah teach us that nothing is so humbling as knowing God (Job 42; Isaiah 6).

---Meditate much on the solemnity of death, the certainty of Judgment Day, and the vastness of eternity.

---View each day as an opportunity to forget yourself and serve others. The act of service is innately humbling.

---Read the biographies of great saints, such as George Whitefield’s Journals, The Life of David Brainerd, and Charles Spurgeon’s Early Years. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says, “If that does not bring you to earth, then I pronounce that you are…beyond hope.”

---Remember daily that “pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16: 18).

From J. I. Packer: The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who, like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor---spending and being spent---to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern, to do good to others---and not just their own friends---in whatever way there seems need…If we desire spiritual quickening for ourselves individually, one step we should take is to seek to cultivate this spirit. “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (II Cor. 8: 9).

HYMN

See, amid the Winter’s Snow

See, amid the winter’s snow, born for us on earth below,

See the tender Lamb appears, promised from eternal years.

Lo, within a manger lies he who built the starry skies;

He who, throned in height sublime, sits amid the cherubim.

Sacred infant, all divine, what a tender love was thine,

Thus, to come from highest bliss down to such a world as this!

Teach, O Teach us, holy child, by thy face so meek and mild,

Teach us to resemble thee, in thy sweet humility.

Edward Caswall, 1851

PRAYER

O Jesus Christ, grow thou in me,

And all things else recede!

My Heart be daily nearer thee,

From sin be daily freed.

Make this poor self grow less and less,

Be thou my life and aim;

O make me daily through thy grace,

More meet to bear thy Name!

Johann C. Lavater (1741—1841)

*** Well, I have some time off. This will be my last post--- until the New Year. LORD Willing, I will “see” some of You at the Christmas Eve Service.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason