The Way Down

The Way Down

In Philippians 2 it is written that Jesus “did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” This is truly the greatest humiliation that has ever taken place. But it doesn’t stop there. “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

On this way of humiliation and obedience, He thought about us. He did this so that a new way could be opened, the way back to God, so that we could partake of divine nature. God wants to share His nature with us, but He does not share His glory with anyone. There are plenty of clear examples of this. “So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. And the people kept shouting, ‘The voice of a god and not of a man!’ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died.” Acts 12:21-23.

We see a similar example regarding Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. “At the end of the twelve months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. The king spoke, saying, ‘Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?’ While the word was still in the king’s mouth, a voice fell from heaven: ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.’” Dan. 4:29-32.

God and pride are irreconcilable. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Jas. 4:6 and 1 Pet. 5:5.

Only those who are humble of heart receive grace. Think what immense grace has been given to us. “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8. Previously there was no way, but now a way has been opened so that I can be free from everything that is a weight and from the sin that so easily ensnares me. The only thing fitting for me is to acknowledge from the bottom of my heart that it is entirely righteous that all glory belongs to God alone. And that is because I need God’s grace and power in my life. No one can come to transformation by their own power. Everything that comes from me is useless. To the extent that I am humble, to that same extent I make progress in salvation. In other words, it is to the extent that I can acknowledge the truth about myself. As I progress on this way, I am also learning not just to suffer wrong, but to suffer wrong with joy. Then I can forgive my brother from the heart, because I myself have been forgiven.

May God grant us grace, so that we may always remain on the way down—the way leading to acknowledgment and the way leading to the truth about myself. It is only on this way that there can be true deliverance from sin and progress in the virtues of Christ. Then the words of Rev. 4:11 will also resound in the depths of our hearts: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power.”