Emptied

Philippians 2:5-8

"Let this mind be in you, which was also 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. "

The phrase "emptied himself" can be translated as "made himself of no reputation", or "made himself nothing"

"The word translated as "servant" in this verse is more properly rendered as "bondslave." “This Greek word, "doulos," is the most servile term in the New Testament. It speaks of one whose will is of another. It is a slave who is bound to his master unto death. He is one who has only the will of his master in mind. A bondslave does not belong to himself. He has no rights." -The Good News articles

Jesus didn't empty Himself or make Himself of no reputation because He didn't deserve glory and recognition, or because He had any evil nature in Him. On the contrary, He is perfect and deserves all honor and glory forever. Jesus emptied himself, let go of the equality he had with God the Father, and took on the form of a servant, so He could serve us and die for us.

Jesus lived his life here on earth as a bondservant with only the Father's will in mind. In fact, it was his joy and sustenance to do his Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross. Jesus became our Way back to God the Father by settling our sin debt with God. God's wrath was poured out on Jesus instead of us.

When the scripture says, let this mind be in you, we must empty ourselves like Jesus did, but for different direct reasons. Unlike Jesus, we were born with a sinful nature. We empty ourselves so God can fill us with His Spirit snd His character, so we can reflect the servant hood life Jesus lived.

"Let this mind be in you" means to have this attitude or wisdom.

When we rest our hope in Jesus Christ, there is an emptying that takes place. We renounce the faith we've had in ourselves, our reputation, and our righteousness because they greatly pale in comparison to the perfection of the Holy God of Heaven. We admit that our self-righteousness cannot earn us favor with God. We pour out our confessions that we have lived sinful, selfish lives.

And do you know what?

God doesn't leave us empty. Old things begin to pass away and we begin the life long process of becoming new. Through the work of the Holy Spirit our God pours his wisdom into our lives. He lavishes us with his love, instructs us with his word, freely extends forgiveness, and fills us with the fullness of himself.

With this in mind, I am reminded of an account in the Word of God:

Luke 7:36-38, 47-48, 50

"One of the Pharisees asked him (Jesus) to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he (Jesus) was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment..."And he (Jesus) said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”... “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

This woman knew she was a sinner and she knew she needed Jesus. She didn't wait for an invitation from the Pharisee. When she heard where Jesus was, she had to see him! She boldly entered the Pharisee's home and didn't let the stares of the religious deter her from pouring herself out at Jesus's feet.

Each tear that fell was a part of her heart emptying before her Savior. Jesus, I need you. I want to be filled with your beauty and emptied of my sinFULness.

Like the alabaster flask that had to be broken in order to anoint the feet of her Savior, she was broken. She came to the end of herself and was ready for Jesus to fill her with himself. The ointment was most likely her most valuable possession, but it was worthless compared to the gift Jesus gave her. She walked away that day, forgiven and at peace with the God of heaven and earth.

Not only do we pour ourselves out when we rest our faith in all Jesus has done to ensure our salvation, but I believe the Word of God encourages us to do so all our lives.

As this woman did, and like the word of God encourages us to do, we should boldly approach the throne of God in our time of need and empty ourselves of pride, self-righteousness, self-ambition, self-direction, and self-gratification. Becoming a new creation is a lifelong process, and daily, moment by moment, we need to yield to the Holy Spirit's prompting that points us toward truth and produces the character of God in our lives.

Daily we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.

In Ephesians 3:14-20, Paul reveals why he is praying for the Ephesian church.

~that through God's glorious riches we would be strengthened in our inner man

~that we would be filled with the understanding of the love of Christ

~that we would be filled with the fullness of God

We can pray this for our lives too. Father, help me to pour myself out before you, so you can fill me with the understanding of your great love for me and the fullness of your character. You have all I need and from your glorious riches you strengthen my heart and mind to live my life for you.

We empty ourselves so we can be filled with Someone far greater!

As we are filled with more of Jesus, He gives us the strength we need to live like he did, a servant whose joy and sustanence was to do the Father's will.

Let this mind be in you...

Blessings,

Amy