Philippians 3:20-21
For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will change the body of our humiliation to be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working by which he is able even to subject all things to himself.
Though most all of us live as if we are in denial of this truth. We are now in bodies of our humiliation. We are as caterpillars wrapped within these natural bodies of this fallen world. Many and even many believers will attempt to convince us to seek our own greatness rising out of this great mass of mediocrity. We seek to cast an image of ourselves, as of excellence, of beauty, of dignity not possible for us now. We many times carry ourselves with a high honor and dignity, unsuited for any of us, now. This high esteeming of ourselves is not good. We are as if worms loving distinction, honor and glory for ourselves. We are seeking glory in our own shame. One worm attempting to lift itself to a place of honor and dignity above other worms. We become those who love judging, love making distinction, attempting to accentuate our own greatness and or worthiness over others, at the expense of love, mercy, and graciousness.
This state of humiliation can be more graciously accepted as our low position right now, this humiliation which clings to us, now, but not forever. We do have a great desire to escape this, however we can not escape this to the freedom we desire, yet. Coming to Jesus and trusting Him as our Savior and Deliverer, can provide much escape, as much as our faith and trust allows. For many of us, our faith is however small and weak. I am for accepting ourselves and others in this common low state as brothers and sisters in our fallen state, that is accepting others as having an imperfect faith in a perfect Savior.(I am not including those without faith in Jesus) There is a sense of hopefulness that can be found in realizing this truth. We can fight our enemy the great accuser with this truth. We can praise God, for the mercy and love He has revealed in Jesus. We do not have to meet unrealistic and sometimes meaningless expectations our enemy likes to burden, and attack us with. We may undo the enemy’s work by giving one another much mercy and graciousness as the depths of discouragement and weakness of faith, I believe, can go very far for God’s true children. Encouraging one another to look to the true Excellent One, Distinguished One, Great One. The One and only hope of our great escape from this cocoon of corruption and destruction. Encouraging one another to deeper faith, trust and love for our Savior and Deliverer, which will free us more. Encouraging one another to less care and worry over the things those who follow the world are so greatly concerned and moved by. Let’s not deceive ourselves, that the freeing from this cocoon occurs completely in our natural lives, let’s not judge others with unrealistic expectations, and harshness. We are able to receive a new life, receive the Excellent One within us, however it is almost as if many times, He is trapped within the cocoon of our own sin, weakness, doubt and lack of faith. We can with hope look to that day of our total freeing, when Jesus will be fully glorified for all to see, and we will be glorified with Him. We can trust that though we are in this cocoon of corruption now, he safely holds us, cocoon and all, keeping us until our full redemption and freedom.
We can look to Jesus, look to God, (Father, Son, Spirit) for our change. Accepting His true judgment, rather than attempting to create our own imaginary distinctions, which falsely elevate some while devaluing others. Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded. Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish. You will seek them, and won’t find them, even those who contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as a non-existent thing. For I, Yahweh your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I will help you.’ Don’t be afraid, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel. I will help you,” says Yahweh, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 41:11-14)
Mercy Triumphs! 