Numerous scholars of historical documents view Philippians 2 as containing a hymn which was sung by Christians several years before it was recorded by Paul (to the Church in Philippi ~AD 62). What stands-out is the very early acknowledgement that Jesus was both Messiah and God.
Notable points to recognize:
✔️ God’s love for humanity.
✔️ Jesus is eternally God (preexisting as God the Son).
✔️ Jesus’s incarnation— remaining God, He put on a human nature: fully God and fully human.
✔️ Jesus’s crucifixion (AD 30 or 33).
✔️ Jesus accomplished the mission set forth by the Triune God from eternity past.
✔️ The Lordship of Jesus will be recognized by all, even by those who reject Him.
The song documented by Paul in Philippians 2 is not meant to be read in December only, but is a reality we should recall, recite, and rejoice-over, every day!
“He suffered as God because only God had the power to save; He suffered as man because only man owed the debt.”
– Michael Horton
Friends, God came down! Let that sink-in!
The uncreated Creator of the universe (Colossians 1), came down to us in the most humble of ways! While remaining fully God, He clothed himself with a human nature — because we needed God’s help. God’s love was on vivid display in this humble and merciful act (Philippians 2).
God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) had a plan to save us from ourselves in order to restore us back into relationship with our Holy Creator and King. And He faithfully fulfilled that plan and promise (Genesis 3:15).
The cross and empty tomb are reminders of the real, historically verifiable hope God provides in the midst of our trials — not because of we are enough (bc we aren’t), but because Jesus’s work on our behalf was, and will always be, more than enough.
Hold Fast Apologetics 