"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant and coming in the likeness of men." v5
Philippians 2:5-11 NKJV
Often we will pray to be just like Jesus, this is our ambition, we just want to be like our Master, and this is not a bad thing. After all, Jesus has got it right, He is our mentor as well as our God, we all want to walk the earth as He did. However, have we really looked at the implications of this prayer?
To be like Jesus, we need to see that He emptied Himself, by assuming the form of a servant. He still had His deity but He took on human flesh. He was fully God and became fully man. In theology, this is know as hypostatic union - two natures in one person unmixed forever. He was secure in Himself and never lost sight of who He was. He knew His identity. What about you? Are you secure in God and yourself. When you are secure in God, you will serve Him wholeheartedly no matter what.
We can never be like Jesus when we are insecure; when we don't really know our identity. Notice that Jesus emptied Himself of who He actually was. He kept His deity but He took on the role of a servant in human flesh. In other words, He made Himself of no reputation. We all like to be a 'someone,' we like to feel that we belong and people know who we are and what we stand for. But to be truly like Jesus, we may have to give this up, if He asks.
To be like Jesus, we must allow Him the first call on our lives and we must be willing to face any flack that may come our way. A soldier gives up everything to serve His country, a soldier of Jesus does the same and when we give up everything we have, to follow Him, it may be difficult at times. The apostle Paul suffered much hardship to serve Jesus. It was His choice and He knew the risks and the cost that it would take. When we say, 'Lord, I want to be like You,' be sure you know what you are saying because there will be a cost to pay. However, there will be blessing as well, 'If anyone serves Me let Him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honour him.' John 12:26
Copyright 2021 Grahame Howard
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