“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, …” Phil. 2:5-7a (NRSV)
As an evangelist, one of my tasks in helping people to encounter Jesus is to help them become properly disposed to the truth that Jesus reveals. St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, brings up a very clear issue that must be addressed. It is so common among us that it is never really acknowledged – equality with God!
A repentant heart is a critical element of proper disposition toward God. For most of us, repentance is most often directed toward our sinfulness. But there is a greater underlying problem that leads us to the idea that we can sin. It is a fruit of original sin, given to us from Satan. He gives us the idea that we are equal to God.
When you see this written, you may immediately think “well, of course not!” However, when we examine our attitudes and behaviors toward God’s will for our lives, we might be surprised to see a current of rebellion flowing deep within us. We really don’t like anyone telling us what to do. We enjoy the freedom to choose.
How many times have we stood up to God in our prayers and said, “if you want me to follow your will, then what is going to happen? I won’t do it unless I can see everything that will happen.” How many times have we walked away from God after submitting a request because we either did not get the answer we wanted or didn’t get it in the timeline we wanted?
No, we see ourselves as an equal to the Almighty God!!!
God has three great attributes. Let’s do a quick evaluation of them and see how we compare:
- God is Omniscient! – He knows everything about everything. Do we?
- God is Omnipotent! – He is all-powerful and can do anything. Can we?
- God is Omnipresent! – He is everywhere, at the same time, at all times. Are we?
We can’t compare to God and yet we somehow seem to look at Him as if He is like us! God was not made in our image; we were made in His. So if God has these attributes, why the rebellion? Because of the pain we suffer. Another issue we don’t look at is the doubt we have in God’s goodness.
We all have a “why God” question. “God, if you’re all-powerful and loving, then why do bad things happen to good people?” For most of us, this issue of faith or trust must be dealt with if we are going to treat God with the virtue of justice, which is “to give to each person what they are due”. Jesus came to show us that equality with God can never be accomplished and will only thwart your efforts of a fulfilling life.
If God really is God and has all those attributes, then we, who profess to believe this is true, must retrain our minds to live the truth of who we are. We are not God, but only His creation!
The sooner we make this adjustment, the easier it is going to be to live in His Kingdom.
Dear Deacon Poyo,
You are a gifted speaker and a gifted writer. Please help me respond. in your four night discussions you very briefly mention that homosexuality is wrong and a sin. Individuals pick up on those few words and threaten to leave the catholic church. I know the catholic church teaches a person doesn’t have to be catholic to get into heaven – if I read the catechism correctly even Muslim’s and individuals of other faiths can enter into heaven. In other words how do I understand Jesus and his words “no one comes to the Father except through me” and the catholic Catechism which does not teach that.
What the Church is trying to say is that God is not bound to save someone ONLY through the Catholic Church. He is totally capable of revealing truth through other sources to bring someone to the place where they will accept the salvific work of Christ on the cross for them. It is only through Christ’s redemptive action that humanity can be saved. How we come to respond to that can happen in numerous ways. Sin is overcome by Christ’s selfless act of love but they must repent from sin and receive the God’s free invitation for salvation. If you look at the story of the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), you see how Jesus (who desired her salvation) had to first confront her sinfulness. Once she repented of it, she was free to receive not only the forgiveness of God but his love as well. A love so fulfilling that she returned to the town that hated her and used her to lead them to Christ. Wow!
My comments about Homosexuality is not a rejection of any person but a simple acknowledgement of God’s statements of sinfulness. Our culture wants to be free of God’s reign and rule and thus, live as they wish. From my perspective, I believe that Jesus died to free us from the bonds that prevent us from experiencing authentic love we all desire and God intended. We are just settling for much less than what God intended. God desires to bless everyone but only when they return to the truth of who they are, His beloved Children. Everyone wants the love and mercy God has to offer but reject the authority He has to give it. That authority comes from being the all mighty creator of us all. To reject him is to place ourselves as our own God and not give God the Justice he deserves. It’s funny Ed, we all want to be treated with the respect of who we are but will not afford that to God.
Thank you so much for your reply. it helped.
I had just finished reading Galations and then I read your reply. What a great mystery of why that happened. When a lady is concerned about her lesbian daughter and what the church teaches – it is not like Jewish Laws – the church teaches out of love for Christ the behavior is not acceptable. Paul speaks of it many times – we are supposed to be in Love with Jesus Christ and it is through this love we get to heaven.
We don’t understand why some individuals who hear and see authentic Christians don’t find Christ in their lives – but we know we are supposed to keep witnessing to them and praying for them. I suspect that is what is so hard for you.
You are like the Billy Graham of the Catholic church – trying to lead individuals closed to Christ.