WE SAW YESTERDAY that “ in all these things” we are to be more than conquerors. If the word had been “ex,” or “sub,” or “super,” instead of “in,” then the power of our faith would have been turned away from human problems. Not their solution, but escape from them—above, beneath, around, apart from, not in —would have been our interest. Any other word, except “in” is fatal. If religion cannot solve the problems of life as is, then it has no place in life. It is opium.
I have lived all my life amid religions which, when they came to this business of life now, have tried to rise above it, to step apart from it, feigned indifference to it, steeled themselves against it, done everything except face it and solve it—“in.” That little word has been the rock over which they have stumbled to their doom—usually gradual doom, but doom nevertheless. There is no way to solve life itself except from within. Jesus did just that. He entered life—became incarnate. The steps in that Incarnation are seven, according to Philippians 2:5–8:
Have this mind among yourselves, which you have in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped [gave up the ultimate position and ultimate security—step number one], but emptied himself [emptied Himself of everything but love—step number two], taking the form of a servant [from Creator to creature, and a serving creature—step number three], being born in the likeness of men [not a verbal identification—a real one—step number four]. And being found in human form he humbled himself [became man and then lower than proud man—step number five] and became obedient unto death [the ultimate identification—with our death—step number six], even death on a cross [the identification lowest down—step number seven].
O Jesus, I marvel with a deep-down marvel at Thy “in.” How deeply in Thou didst come we will never know. We shall explore it forever. What we see sets our hearts atingle to know the wonder of it—to know it fully. I thank Thee for what I see. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: Jesus “stooped to save”—how wonderful that stooping was I shall explore forever!
