If Jesus Christ is God, then how can God be said to be exalted?

One time, I asked a brother in the faith this same question, that if Jesus Christ is God, then how can God be said to be exalted? But unfortunately, the brother couldn't answer, he was only sitting down and staring at me in the face. God is already exalted and does not need to be exalted again. So what did the apostle Paul meant when he wrote: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name (Philippians 2: 9). Of a truth, Jesus Christ is God and equal with the father in his divine essence: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him (John 5; 23).

 Jesus Christ also said: I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God (John 10:30-33). Jesus Christ is one with the father in his divine nature, they possess the same power, omniscience, eternalness, holiness, wisdom, immutability etc. Jesus Christ also said: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1). This is a statement of equality, he was claiming to be equal with the father. He is the object of faith as much as the father is. The deity of Christ is everywhere in the pages of the Holy scriptures.

But the question still remains, if Jesus Christ is God, then how can the already exalted God be said to be exalted? The answer to this important question is that, the exaltation that Paul refers to is in reference to Jesus Christ human nature. Jesus Christ is perfect in Godhood and Manhood simultaneously (John 1; 1, 14, Philippians 2; 6-8). Jesus Christ was in the form of God prior to his incarnation and equal with God the father, but for the sake of our redemption, he did not consider his equality with God has something to be grasped, and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men. Jesus took on flesh and possessed all human attributes (Philippians 2; 6- 7).The exaltation is in reference to Jesus humanity and not to his divine nature. Jesus Christ was highly exalted as a reward for his obedience to the father in laying down his life for our sins. The pleasure of the Lord prospered in his hands, and God the father exalted him for his obedience. Paul puts it this way: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:6-11).

It is evident from the passage, that Christ humbled himself to the lowest degree by taking on flesh, and not only so, but humbled himself even further by dying an accursed and shameful death on the cross for us. Before he was crowned with honor and glory, he first wore the crown of thorns, before his exaltation came shame and humiliation for our sake. The Man Jesus Christ was exalted for his obedience, it was something that he deserved because he worked for it. As part of his exaltation, he received a glorified body after his resurrection. His body was and still glorified and it can no longer be subject to pains, weariness, and even death (Philippians 3; 21). Also as part of his exaltation, the Man Jesus Christ has been exalted to sit down at the right hand of God (Psalm 110, 1, 1 Peter 3; 22). This honor of sitting at the right hand of God was given to none of the angels: But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? (Hebrews 1:13), nor to any man, save the Man Jesus Christ.

Also as part of his exaltation, he is designated as the head of the Church. The bible says: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church. Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23). And in another place it is written: And he is the head of the body, the church  (Colossians 1; 18). Also as part of his exaltation, he became the author of eternal salvation to everyone who put their faith in him: And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him (Hebrews 5: 9). The Greek word for "obey" is to "listen attentively". When you hearken attentively to the message of the gospel and you put your faith in Christ, he being a savior will save you with an eternal salvation. For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which a person can be saved, save through the person of Jesus Christ (Acts 4; 12). In a nutshell, what I need you to understand is that the exaltation of Christ spoken of in the book of Philippians is an exaltation of his human nature and not is divine nature. God bless you

                 A thought to ponder

The Man Jesus Christ was exalted for his obedience, it was something that he deserved because he worked for it

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Comments

  1. Wonderful.. I appreciate the grace of God upon your life

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