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... When Paul for example describes Christ as the ‘firstborn among the brethren’ this refers not to Christ’s creation but rather to his eternal status. Christ’s mutability is often found in the mystery of the incarnation where change seems inevitable, due to Christ’s temporal humanity. His exaltation must be understood as an eternal exaltation. Thus Christ’s mission is a gift. Failure was not possible because his death, resurrection and exaltation are part of His eternal nature and not contingent on his obedience to His Fathers will. The contingency that is apparent is a result of Christ humanity (Matt 26:27). Christ is one at the same time an obedient son and eternal God. Though Christ is distinct from his Father he is not separate from Him (John 17:3, 11).
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