One of the most essential and powerful truths of scripture is to understand how Jesus Christ functioned while he was physically on this earth. To put it simply, Jesus was and is God, but he did not rely on his status as God to do any miracle or healing. He did all that he did on earth as a man who was "anointed with the Holy Ghost and power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him." (Acts 10:38) Let's look at how the Amplified Bible describes this truth in Philippians 2:6-7.

These verses say, "Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave) in that He became like men and was born a human being." In other words, even though Jesus was God, equal with God, possessed all the things that make God who He is; Jesus left those things in heaven when he came to earth and became a man. If I may say it crudely, when Jesus came to earth, he only brought with him the suitcase with the stuff that made him man. He left the suitcase with all the God-stuff in it in heaven. He didn't grasp, retain or hold on to that status as God. He stripped himself of that status and became like one of us!

Don't misunderstand my words! Jesus was God, but he did not rely on that position as God while he walked the earth. He walked here as a man. He gave us the perfect example of how a God-empowered man can function. He also told us that we can do the works that He did, and greater works, if we believe on him. (John 14:12) Let's start being what Jesus has called us to be! Have a great week!

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