Daily Word

Unbelievable!

How can Paul claim to possess the very same attitudes, mindset, and feelings as Christ—he who was once the most conceited, arrogantly self-righteous hater and persecutor of Christ imaginable?

Now he says that he resembles the One “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.”

What an incredible transformation!

Who had brought it about?

The Self-denying One had invaded the self-exalting Paul with His humble Spirit and completely transformed his disposition.

Is He able to—or rather, is He permitted to—do the same with you and me?

Paul suggests that He can, provided He is allowed to.

But it is not something that happens in the blink of an eye.

Paul had to go through a rigorous school, which involved many humiliating situations—and at times, he cried out to God, begging Him to stop.

What answer did he receive?

“I will give you strength—grace—to go through everything necessary, even willingly and joyfully, so that you may become who I want you to be and carry out the task to which I have called you.”

Did Paul agree to this?

Yes!

The result?

He became a Christ-like person and, through much travail, helped bring many others into this same wonderful reality.

Can this unbelievable process happen to you and me?