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The practice of religion does not require dependence on God. It doesn’t even require His presence.
Performed independently from God, religious activity is incapable of contributing to the eternal purpose of the New Testament church. Consequently, the religious are generally without purpose. As a result, the eternal mission of the church remains a mystery. The purpose of the New Testament church is to practice intimate, shared life fellowship with God. The corresponding mission of the New Testament church is to value, cultivate and protect its practice of fellowship with God above all else. By eternal design, God assembled the New Testament church to cooperate with Him in the fulfillment of its purpose and mission. Relative to Scriptural standard, it requires both the living (zoe) presence of God and faith that He will satisfy His stated purpose and mission. Therefore, the New Testament church must embrace a lifestyle of dependence. Perfect Example The incarnate Christ provided a perfect example for His future body, the New Testament church. By the Spirit, He faithfully emptied Himself of His divine authority and practiced unwavering dependence on His indwelling Father. Divine Authority There are two types of divine authority manifested on earth. “The two basic forms of authority are intrinsic authority (belonging to one's essential nature) and derived authority (given to one from another source). Since ‘there is no authority except from God’ (Romans 13:1), every kind of authority other than that of God Himself is derived and, therefore, secondary to God’s power (John 19:11). God's authority is absolute and unconditional (Psalm 29:10; Isa 40:1). He has authority over nature (Job 38), governments (Daniel 4:17, 34-35), and history (Acts 1:7; 17:24-31); and He has the power to send people to hell (Luke 12:5). Jesus Christ has the same intrinsic authority as the Father … (John 10:25-30).” [1] Messianic Authority The incarnate Christ did not live and serve on earth in accord with His own intrinsic authority. Instead, Jesus faithfully emptied Himself of His intrinsic authority and chose to depend on authority derived from His indwelling Father: |
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In order to live on earth in submission to derived authority, Jesus walked by dependence on the indwelling Spirit of God:
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The incarnate Christ did not live in accordance with the will of the heavenly Father by effort of human flesh. Instead, He consistently yielded to the authority of His indwelling Father by the Spirit through means of dependent faith. Therefore, His words and deeds always honored and pointed to His heavenly Father. It provided a perfect example for the future church.
Derived Authority By the Spirit, the incarnate Christ emptied Himself of His own initiative and authority. The Apostle Paul clarified to the ecclesia in ancient Philippi, “…although He existed in the form of God, [Christ Jesus] did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8) According to the Apostle Paul, the incarnate Christ “existed in the form of God.” (Philippians 2:6) The Greek word translated “form” is morphe. Stressing “the inner essence or reality of that with which it is associated,” it means that Jesus possessed the very nature of God. (cf. Mark 16:12) Thus, Paul plainly communicated that Jesus was God in human flesh. Nevertheless, Paul revealed that the incarnate Christ did not regard “equality with God a thing to be grasped.” (2:6) The Greek word translated “grasped” is harpagmos (har-pag-mos'). It generally means “held on to forcibly.” Thus, Jesus chose not to hold on to His “equality with God.” (2:6) Instead, the incarnate Christ “emptied Himself” of His equality with God. (2:7) The Greek word translated into English as “emptied” is kenosis. Consistent with the concept of servanthood, it means “to make empty” or “to make of no reputation.” The writings of both the Apostle Paul and the New Testament in general clarify that the incarnate Christ “emptied Himself” of His divine authority and took the “form of a bond servant.” (vs. 7) Although His servanthood was by personal choice, Jesus Christ was nonetheless a servant. Generally, servanthood is characterized by a complete lack of personal reputation, position, or authority. Recognized predominantly by the reputation, position, and authority of his master, a good servant is known for submission to his master. Though within His right and ability, Jesus did not embrace His divine authority. He chose to live on earth as a servant in perfect submission to authority derived from His heavenly Father. Paul further indicated that Jesus was “made in the likeness of men.” (vs. 7) The Greek word translated “likeness” is homoioma (hom-oy'-o-mah). It is indicative of the fullness of human nature. However, Paul's specific usage of homoima clarifies that He was not exactly like every other human being. Christ differed by His constant obedience to the Father. (cf. vs. 8) The incarnate Christ not only possessed the fullness of human nature but was fully human in appearance. The Apostle states that Jesus was “found in the appearance of a man.” (vs. 8) The Greek word translated “appearance” is schema. As quoted in Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Meyer says the use of schema indicated that "men saw in Christ a human form, bearing, language, action, mode of life... in general the state and relations of a human being, so that in the entire mode of His appearance He made Himself known and was recognized as a man". Thus, Jesus Christ was fully human in both nature and appearance. The Apostle Paul reveals that the incarnate Christ, fully human in both nature and appearance, performed the ultimate act of servanthood. He “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.” (vs. 8) Although existing in the form of God, the incarnate Christ: |
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While on earth, the incarnate Christ emptied Himself of intrinsic authority and lived by the Spirit in faithful submission to authority derived from the heavenly Father. “… Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God (possessing intrinsic authority), did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself (of His intrinsic authority), taking the form of a bond servant (one without authority), and being made in the likeness of men (without intrinsic authority). Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself (taking a position devoid of authority) by becoming obedient to the point of death (the ultimate emptying of oneself) …” (Philippians 2:5-8)
Beyond Philippians Beyond the kenosis passage from Philippians, the greater context of the New Testament also indicates that the incarnate Christ did not choose to live according to His own authority. The Gospels reveal that when He healed the sick; cast out demons, performed miracles, and suffered death by crucifixion, He did so as a “man under authority”: |
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cf. Matthew 7:29; 8:9; Mark 1:22; 1:27; 2:9-11; Luke 4:32; 4:36; 5:24; 7:8; John 10:16-18
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Restored Authority
The post-resurrection authority of Jesus Christ was very different from the derived authority He exercised while on earth. He again exercised the intrinsic authority He possessed before His incarnation: |
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Real New Testament Church Life
Concordant with the restoration of His intrinsic authority, Jesus Christ fulfilled His promise of “building” the New Testament church on earth. (Matthew 16:18) Its animating life source was predetermined by design. Human life (psuche) was quite obviously incapable of providing animation for the New Testament church. Therefore, the animation of the church could only be accomplished by divine life (zoe): |
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Real New Testament church life (zoe) is not lived by man for God. It is lived by God with man. His indwelling life alone is capable of directing the practice of the church on earth and ensuring the fulfillment of its purpose and mission.
Living together with God, the New Testament church was designed to be animated by divine life (zoe). More specifically, it is animated by the indwelling life (zoe) of Jesus Christ. Consequently, it is not only representative of divine law on earth but also representational of divine life (zoe). Both representative and representational of God, the real New Testament church was not created to perform dead religious activity for God. Instead, it was graciously privileged to cooperate with Him through faith alone. Church life lived for God by man is quite different from church life lived by God with man: |
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Dependent Life
The incarnate Christ did not work for His heavenly Father as an employee. Instead, He lived His life on earth as a son, a privileged family member. Living as a son, Jesus provided a perfect example of living the Christian life (zoe). He chose to empty Himself of His own authority and live in unwavering submission to the authority of His indwelling Father. (cf. Matthew 4:1; 12:28; Luke 4:1) By His indwelling life (zoe), the real New Testament church was designed to follow the example of Christ. Therefore, it is a continual necessity for it to live dependently on His indwelling life (zoe). The dependent life is fulfilled by grace through faith alone. Privileged Choice Concordant with its heavenly life (zoe) source on earth, the New Testament church is presented with a privileged choice. It must choose to live according to law or life (zoe). The church can remain under the rule of law (“the law of sin and of death”) and work for God as an employee or hireling. However, attempting to work for God as an employee is not only contrary to the will of God but demanding. Never fulfilled, it is an exhausting treadmill of endless performance that is eternally insignificant. Working for God under the rule of law is a choice that led the Apostle Paul to respond, “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24) Conversely, the New Testament church can choose life (zoe) and therefore, live in dependent cooperation with the indwelling life (zoe) of God. As a result, it has the privilege to rest in the gracious, immediate presence of God as His beloved children. Paul’s realization of this amazing truth motivated him to proclaim, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25) Childlike rest in God's unconditional plan and provision is fulfilled through dependent faith alone. Historically, when the New Testament church has chosen to dependently rest in Christ and cooperate with Him by grace through faith alone God has mightily blessed it. He has demonstrated that He will not only provide but also perform every work necessary to fulfill its purpose and mission on earth. © 2022 James Hiatt |
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