Why Jesus Part 7

The Mystery Of God Disrobing Himself And Adoption.

Philippians 2:6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,

Philippians 2:7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being.

Philippians 2:8 And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!

The mystery of Jesus disrobing Himself to take on the form of man is very essential for our salvation and existence in heaven because mortal man can't stand before God.

One of the reasons no other person could save humanity is that even if it were possible for humanity to be saved by another man or through another means, we can only take the form of the one who saves us.

Take, for example, Job, whom God called a righteous man; if Job were to die for all humanity, then we would be transformed into the image of Job and not be transformed into the image of the glorious God.

Jesus disrobed Himself and took on the form of man and was adopted by an earthly father, Joseph, so that man can take the form and the image of the Son of God and be adopted by God the Father.

Romans 8:15 For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!

Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.

Romans 8:17 And if we are [His] children, then we are [His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His inheritance with Him]; only we must share His suffering if we are to share His glory.

1 John 3:1 SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.

1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is.

God became man and took on the form of man and was adopted by an earthly father, Joseph, so that man can be adopted and called son by God the Heavenly Father.

1 Corinthians 15:51 Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed)

1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed).

1 Corinthians 15:53 For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death).

1 Corinthians 15:54 And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory. [Isa. 25:8.]

1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? [Hos. 13:14.]

1 Corinthians 15:56 Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law.

1 Thessalonians 4:14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him through Jesus those who have fallen asleep [in death].

1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we declare to you by the Lord's [own] word, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall in no way precede [into His presence] or have any advantage at all over those who have previously fallen asleep [in Him in death].

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!

1 Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words.

Herein lies the mystery of adoption, disrobing, and transfiguration.

Stay tuned for Part 8.