Traditionally God is thought of as all powerful. The words omnipotent comes to mind. Yet the Scriptures also portray Him as multi-faceted in His roles, as we see in this passage of Scripture:
Philippians 2 v 5-11, The Message:
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honoured him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honour of God the Father.
A while ago I saw the film ‘The BFG’, which stands of course for “The Big Friendly Giant”. The giant was huge in comparison to everything around him. No matter how gentle he wanted to be, until people got to know him, they were quite naturally scared at first. When God poured himself out into our humanity he was no longer big; he became a tiny baby, fragile even. He gave up omnipotence and instead showed us his love. And, in the passage in Philippians 2, we are told that we should be like him, pouring out the love of God into a dark world.
Hold us in your love Lord as we learn to see the world as you see it, as we learn to look like you. Amen
Margaret Watson Reverend (retired)
Former Salvation Army Officer, UK
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