Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
In this chapter, Jones emphasizes the total identification of Christ with humanity. Christ was 'made' what He was not—flesh, under the law, a curse, and sin—so that we might be made what we are not: spirit, free, and the righteousness of God. The chapter highlights that Christ's victory was not won through His divine power acting independently of His human condition, but through the 'faith of Jesus.' By stating 'I can of Mine own self do nothing,' Jesus stood in the exact position of the helpless sinner. His triumph of faith is now offered as a free gift to every person, providing the means to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. This faith, according to Jones, is the same faith that characterizes the remnant in the Third Angel's Message, enabling them to keep the commandments of God in the midst of a fallen world.
Key points
- Christ was made in the likeness of men in nature and very substance.
- The divine exchange: He was made sin so we could be made the righteousness of God.
- Jesus lived by faith, saying 'I can of Mine own self do nothing,' just as we must.
- The 'faith of Jesus' is a free gift that gives every man hope and victory over sin.
Key texts
- Philippians 2:5-8
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Revelation 14:12
From the book
Chapter 8 · Philippians 2:5-8 · Read this chapter
- “Christ was the Son of God. He became the Son of man that the sons of men might become the sons of God.” (ch. 8)
- “He was of Himself in that flesh exactly as is the man who... is laden with sins, actual and hereditary, and who is without God.” (ch. 8)
- “That faith which He exercised and by which He obtained the victory... that faith is His free gift to every lost man in the world.” (ch. 8)
Put it into practice
- Acknowledge your own helplessness by saying, 'I can of mine own self do nothing.'
- Accept the 'faith of Jesus' as a free gift to overcome temptation today.
- Meditate on the reality that Christ felt the weight of your sins as if they were His own.
- Comprehension
1. What was the purpose of Christ becoming the 'Son of man'?
- Doctrinal Clarity
2. How did Christ live as man without using His own divine power?
- Scripture
3. What does Philippians 2:5-8 teach about Christ's self-emptying?
- Contrast
4. Contrast Christ's original nature with what He 'was made' for us.
- Doctrinal Clarity
5. What is the 'victory that overcometh the world' according to Jones?
- Scripture
6. How is the 'faith of Jesus' connected to the Third Angel's Message?
- Comprehension
7. What does it mean that Christ's sense of condemnation for our sins was 'real'?
- Application
8. How does saying 'I can of mine own self do nothing' empower you rather than discourage you?