A couple questions...
When Paul said He emptied Himself of everything and became like us... how do we take that?
What is our involvement?
Did you notice that Jesus told his disciples to feed the hungry, when they had no food?
Matt 14:
16But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
A student is supposed to follow His teacher. And then Jesus said teach them what I've taught you. Before He sent them out He said receive the Holy Spirit. Why do you think He did that?
Just a few things to consider. Do I believe Jesus was God before the Spirit came on Him? Yes. Do I believe Jesus did miracles before He had the Spirit? We don't see that in Scripture. Do I believe the Spirit of God does miracles through us like He did through Jesus? Yes.
John 14:12“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me
will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do,
because I am going to the Father. 13Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do,
that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14If you ask me[SUP]
e[/SUP] anything in my name, I will do it.
Jesus going to the Father allowed us to have His Spirit.
Jesus became a man as our example. He showed us what right relationship with the Father looks like. He chose to empty Himself, that was His choice. It doesn't mean He wasn't God. But it does mean He emptied Himself to be like us. Why else do you think He was able to die?
Phil 2:5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus:
6Who,
existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God something to cling to, << read this.
- God didn't consider equality with God to be desired.
7but emptied Himself,
taking the form of a servant, << and this.
- This is our pattern also.
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross. << and this.
God emptied Himself completely to the point of dying on a cross. It wasn't taken from Him. He chose to do it.
Which gives an entirely new meaning to this Scripture here:
1 John 4:17 By this is love perfected with us, so that
we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because
as he is so also are
we in this world.
Love was shown by emptying Himself for us. We show love by emptying ourselves for others. And by this we show the world we are His, by this we reveal Christ on the Earth. And this same love, drove Jesus to do miracles. And He said we do the same works. (And greater)
How is this possible??
Have you noticed that Paul says Christ Jesus in his epistles?
Or have you read this Scripture here:
2 Co 5:16
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.