Verses 4-6 talk about the ultimate possibilities for every person. Paul tells us if Jesus, who's body was in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal to God, that every person should be like-minded. We all have the potential and to become as He is and this does not diminish (rob) God in any way. President Lorenzo Snow addressed this poem to the apostles Paul and John and is worth reading and thinking about.
Dear Brother,
Hast thou not been unwisely bold, Man's destiny to thus unfold?
To raise, promote such high desire, Such vast ambition thus inspire?
Still, 'tis no phantom that we trace Man's ultimatum in life's race;
This royal path has long been trod By Righteous men each now a God:
As Abra'm, Isaac, Jacob, too, First babes, then men - to gods they grew.
As man now is, our God once was; As now God is, so man may be, -
Which doth unfold man's destiny.
For John declares: when Christ we see Like unto him we'll truly be.
And he who has this hope within Will purify himself from sin.
Who keep his object grand in view, to folly, sin, will bid adeiu,
Nor wallow in the mire anew;
Nor ever seek to carve his name High on the shaft of worldly fame;
But here his ultimatum trace: The head of all his spirit race.
All, well: that taught by you, dear Paul, 'Though much amazed, we see it all;
Our Father God, has ope'd our eyes, We cannot view it otherwise.
The boy, like to his father has grown, Has but attained unto his own;
To grow to sire from state of son, Is not 'gainst Nature's course to run.
A son of God, like God to be, Would not be robbing Diety;
And he who has this hope within, Will purify himself from sin.
You're right, St. John, supremely right: Who'er essays to climb this height;
Will cleanse himself of sin entire- Or else 'twere needless to aspire.
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