Made Into One

Fashioned in Love

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:6-8

In fact, it now appears how like unto God the Father the Son actually is. If robbery were actually a thing, he had be guilty of taking his place time and again. Though it is his place is not it for which God has highly exalted him and given him a name above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow whether in Heaven, under the earth, or here among men. The robbery then only happens when permissions not given. In the case of our Lord, there is never been a time when he is been apart from his person. He is owned all Heaven before time began and now is not above taking his place once again. The form of God you see is in all actuality. Though for us it would appear that we are just to be like him for we shall see him as he is. Thus, any resemblance we would bear to the Father is but as a candle lighted from him or a mirror made in reflecting his Son. Then too, there is him in us doing good deeds and not of ourselves. It is the gift of God is not it that allows this to happen. The gift of God see must come with a form time and again. It is a distinctive packaging if you will that gives away the mystery on its very appearing. Though he has not got a reputation does he for being much to look at first. There is certainly no form or comeliness that we should desire him save but for that of his power and his glory. There is no reputation too becomes he has not come to earth by smiting the few. He is certainly not peaceful either but that is beside the point much rather when just merely as this considering the Savior. Should a form appear it is more like a delivery gear though than a dressing up of what should appear. Certainly we have got some idea of what his appearance should be as seen through the crowd. It is that of his glory as seen in midst, yet here he is taken it off and tied it around his waist like a robe much as so it will not get dirty I suppose. The form of the servant too allows for service to men. It is something that immediately identifies him with our fallen human condition and so too well that he had know. As the Scripture says he was made in the likeness of men. It is not a pretty sight considering all that we would go through. I mean, too just think of our Lord being sent in his person. He must needs have been had not he just to die for all men. Though you should not be too surprised at it really not when it would been the plan all along. He is the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world in particular though the finding in fashion is nice after a notion. Still though, nothing ever distracted him from his purposes as becoming the Lord. Not that he was not already of course as be fitted him really just that when it comes to the human condition our Lord took more than especial pains when it came to the service of men. In fact, he performed miracles and healed the sick in the midst. So too he preached the Gospel of the kingdom it seems to all who would listen. There is humility and obedience to be seen with the Lord not that he is had need of submitting to his plans there in the midst but much rather as Author and Creator of such then for sure. Though just to sacrifice that is to say the death of the cross so that his salvation might be seen poured forth in the earth.

Confession Above

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

You know, there is an exaltation that follows. Perhaps it is just as unto the Lord though of this you can be sure that it is not men in the frame. We have our own place do not we, our rightful position given us from above. For some it is just merely that of when he ascended on high he led captivity captive and gave gifts to all men or as being borne from his love. Though you would notice that our God first of all has fulfilled all the rites of his office. He is sitting down if you will in Heavenly places there on his throne having gone back to reclaim what was his from the beginning of time. Thus, if he is been exalted once more, it is only because of his position that we see thus rightly put together and fashioned before our good Lord. You know, how often would the Father have gathered us as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings but we would not and is not that all humanitys problem. With certainty the name he is been given was his all along. Time thusly put means nothing when it comes before our good Lord. He was there in the beginning with all of creation and he will be there on the day he calls us back home unto him. We might be a nation of kings and priests meant to rule and reign with him there in the end but we do not see it just yet. That is because God as with Lazarus had to call some things from where men had laid them whether in the tombs of others or just of their own making. When he though calls time down here below it is so that we can bear witness to his power and glory and share with him all eternity. He is the God is he not who was and is and is to come that none might think themselves overmuch something. Certinly not as far as he is concerned, as Lord over all thusly appearing. We would bow before him there who makes all our days as praise to his Son. Sure, there is some that would not want to be bothered and some too that would not understand as unto him. Though when our God rewrites all the stories of men, whether in judgement or retelling, or making them plain there will be none who do not wish to exalt him time and again. It is a tall order is not it coming from those who do not know him as well as they probably should. This is his specialty is it not that before Adam, Abraham or any of the forefathers he was there once again. Truly, we cannot help but to say as with the servant that this was the Son of God whether at the cross in his death, the life that he lived, or returning of all things back to him. It is enough to make the hardest heart tremble and the softer ones beginning to quake. Some have once said that the knees will not want to bow before him but they would be compelled in the light of his glory. Though if those were unwilling, not that Gods in the habit of forcing his children or extorting praise from creation, but there is some tongues also much disused and not used to much speaking. When it comes on down to it really, the praise of the Father is all that is appearing. Though as Scripture has said, confession is made unto salvation and whether that means a free pass into Heaven or that acknowledgement will be made in the end is only up to our Father above who rewrites all things as after his love. Though of this you can be sure that his love is just there no matter how you find yourself, when, or of where.

Comfort of Love

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

Philippians 2:12-14

Surely when our Lord has this to say to his people he does not mean, not to complain ever about anything at all. Nor is he saying that nothing is ever wrong and we were to just up and go along with whatever just as though we agreed with it all. There is a couple things at work in this text that I would like you to see with me briefly if you will. If you will not that is fine too but I rather with that you would. You would be catching all God has in store for us thus far if you did, trust me, just you wait and see. Though you do not have to trust me for it do you, but rather the Word of the Lord. It is a working out if you will with fear and trembling knowing that it is the Fathers good will to give you the kingdom. Therefore, our obedience is as unto the Lord and not unto men. Paul was in and out of this picture that you see for the church and as spiritual father over them doubtless he had some say in the midst. You know when it came to the Lord, he is the primary person we would have to please and who we were doing it all for that you see. Thus, we obey as unto God and not unto men in the text once again. With that being said, there is grace and truth poured forth at the hand of the Lord. Working out your own salvation does not mean saving yourself certainly. It is more of a walking this thing out with the Lord. For you know that our salvation only comes forth from the hand of the Lord. It is not that we would have any power to save ourselves, oh no, not really. When we were walking with him though he makes all our days as but praise to his name. The steps you see, of a good man are ordered by the Lord and he delights in his way. Thus, the fear and trembling doubtless come from some unknown ways we should go and also the high places as we were running after our Lord. As with a physical walk sometimes we go through mountains and valleys but still he leads us along. Though the will and desire come only from him. He is a quickening God is not he for these all his people. There might have not been any light or life in the corner where you were at in particular. Then he just comes along and brightens it and lights up your way. Sometimes there is not a corner anymore but a path as plain as day. It is like this is not it in the midst. There might be an authority or two, just like Paul was, a spiritual leader. They might be physical too for all that you know. It is hard to show them is not when they have not known the deep ways or the paths of the Lord. Thus, we show his presence most truly in the absence of all things that would win. You know, like the fragrance of a life fully submitted to him. That way, when the enemy or the authority figure or the person who should not have known the grace of the Lord comes along, they see our God at work in our lives. It is a pleasure to have known the ways of the Lord and to have our days praise his name. Thus, we would just not complain or doubt about him now nor should we let the earthly authority know just how unsettled we are. Our God it would seem is the light in the dark places that speak unto him. He is the candle when all else has burned out. He is the path that makes itself visible. He is the way, the truth, and the life cause cannot nobody do it just as he can once again as unto him.

Runneth all Over

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

Philippians 2:15-17

In fact there comes a no fault to them that are knowing the Lord. To them which be in Christ as the Scripture has said they are new creations indeed. Old things would not you know have passed away and behold all things have become new. Though it follows that sometimes we have got our stuff jacked up as much as the next person if not more so. Then it would follow when we are no longer looking, acting , or smelling like our Father in Heaven that he has to come along and right all our wrongs. So too does he collect us as though from a mighty long way to the praise of his glory in Heaven. Though to what purpose it is now, and herein is the crookedness and perversion really seen. Our God would rather though we lit up the darkness with the light of himself, candles raised above us high reaching to places that our God would meet each no matter the need or wherever they have been. Though as Paul would have said it, if there is something that interfered with our shining, best just to seek unto him and cause him to come and clear it again. Indeed there is not a day that goes by apart from his promise nor so too that we could not rest in his care. Suffice to say that in all this our God is still working to his good and his glory all things in his Word. So that if there is some rejoicing to be found then with him, it is that he is straightened the paths then instead and established them just with his Word. Indeed, it is a no fault relationship being blameless if you had rathered just of his Son. Though when it comes on down to it really, all this we have suffered so that we might be to the praise of the glory above. It is not that we were taking the Saviors place there for ourselves nor yet able to bring ourselves in any way there. If that were the case, then would we not even be needing the Word of the Lord. Though Paul has it before him much as a mirror or a map to show where he is at. When it comes to knowing the paths and ways you should go, our God knows them all so very well. He is God is not he and it is time he took his place in our lives. Thus the effort is not just of us then but rather of him. Paul though also well knows that there is those who would have carried on just about as though running a race for their lives. In fact, they have worked so very hard all for kingdom rewards and in the end I was afraid some of them will face a what are you doing that for. So that if there is any good left to be seen in our lives, it points it is way back to the Father above. So too can we hope to be found as called unto and after his love. Certainly it is not as though Paul had just barged on in walking all over some peoples faith claiming first place and also who is best. Rather though he came to preach the gospel of Christ wherever he went that all men might hear, come to a knowledge, and so too then believe. Then again, that is where the offense of the cross comes in at once more. Though it is not an offense to those who have trusted but rather an offering almost as that of a life well spent for the Lord. Hence though with so many lives saved and changed and on the way to glory or at least he had thought so then truly, Paul doubtless felt some sort of way about it that you would soon see down here below. That is to say though when it is a life rooted and grounded in him and well lived for the Lord why should not there be some earthly rewards. Though when you were called by him and built up in his power, there comes forth a not in vain from the Lord. He is a God ready and able to save all you see no matter wherever they be. Though when it comes to the Fathers house there is just him waiting and him in his love. Without knowing the Father I was afraid, there will not be no joining him there.

Whatever is Better

18 For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state.

20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.

21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christs.

Philippians 2:18-21

It seems that Paul is in a bit of a conundry certainly. There is an issue here of having a problem and it spills over into the territory I was afraid of what is the matter with you. In fact, so often some of us like to delve all into others personal business that we forget all about the Lord in our midst. Then again it is something that no amount of liking will cure in particular. See, our Lord Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever is not he there in the end. As Paul would often be fond of the saying, there is joy and hope to be found with the Lord. The situation we would just encountered of the people who would come to faith in the Lord and also those standing in need of his Word might not make sense to you at the moment yet when our Gods in the room he can make even that as unto his throne, a sweet smelling savor, this blessed holy Savior to whom we have flown. In fact, he is the best refuge this world has ever known. At times you too might be like Paul in need of a helper standing in for the Lord or else just that of his Word. Then too again, there is those others in which you would have needed him who is a very present help in times of trouble, whether this one right here that we were in or just that of himself in the end. It might not make very much sense right now to have joy for the moment considering that the trial of our faith is supposed to work the patience it takes to know that all things will be set right in the end. In fact, that is what Philippians is all about, the ability of Paul to be in trials or chains all for the sake of the gospel and the goodness of Christ in his life all the while finding more reasons that his joy might be full. It is almost as though the gospel has come with a sword as filled with the cup of his fury in the hand of the Lord. Though to Paul it is an offering much rather, just as his life, poured back out unto God. Though it is good indeed to have those around who can know the state of us thus. It is almost a likemindedness though as unto Christ wherein the fullness of the Godhead bodily dwelled. It is a let this same mind be in you as in Christ Jesus there in particular who would not serve as a distraction for Paul. You see, when everyones seeking their own separate matters it is hard to find Christs in particular. So then if there is but ought of love and trust in the Lord to be found, it is in this that he has a plan. Nor is it a plan as some often have of trust in themselves. In fact, it is to prosper and not to harm us to give us a hope and a future. Would not you know though as so often is that all men are seeking their own things, that of this life without a care or concern for others in their midst or even the next. I could be just like Paul quoting God all day long and his promises back to calling down Scripture to speak on an issue. Though it is nice at times not to have a do nothing God on the matter. He is alive and well you see, actively involved in whatever we would face and also his dealings for us, whatever we would weather. Thus, it is a perspective of just his plan always in mind, for as long as it takes, all the way to glory and back of being led by his hands, so also being tended and cared for by whatever his plans.