5 Christlike Steps to Embrace the Emptying Process

The writer of Hebrews notes this process of becoming like Christ saying, ⁠ "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).

How do we even begin this process of emptying ourselves as Christ did? If we continue reading into the following verses of Hebrews 12, we find 5 practical steps that can enable us to experience and express God's good grace in powerful new ways.

The beginning verses found in Hebrews 12 speak of “throwing off” or emptying ourselves of anything and everything that hinders us from sanctification. This choice to be emptied of ourselves is the precursor to our movement towards Christ-likeness. As we are emptied of our wants, our desires, our pride, our compromising sin, we are filled with the fullness found in freedom as Christ’s child (Galatians 5:1).

Whether you struggle with accepting God's grace or find it difficult to extend grace to those who have hurt you, the writer of Hebrews defines these as “hindrances” to our spiritual maturity. Using this racing analogy, we can easily understand the amount of training that goes into running a race or working towards a fitness goal. Day after day, mile after mile (or in my case, injury after injury), we became accustomed to the sacrifice of our training, for the expected joy of completing the race, exceeding our record, or receiving our end prize.

This is the same attitude we are invited to carry into our Christian walk, by embracing the emptying process as we put on the mind of Christ.

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"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

If we aim to reflect Christ and be of the same “mind” as Him (Philippians 2:5) then before anything and above everything, we must fix our focus on Him as our prize.

This initial step towards emptying ourselves as Christ did is not simply an outward action but an inward intention. This process begins with orienting our hearts, our minds, and our souls on Christ, the author, and finisher of our faith. Jesus brings us back to this primary calling on our hearts in Luke 10, when He says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment (vs.37-38). 

When our focus becomes anything other than Christ, we will, as the writer of Hebrews implies, be hindered by the distractions of sin that so easily entangle us. Whether pride or shame or hatred or hurt, these emotions detour our direction and discourage our hearts from taking hold of what is freely offered through Christ.

So then, in looking to Christ, I am challenged to redirect my attention, my thoughts, my devotion, and my will. This is a daily practice and a moment by moment decision to place my eyes back on my ultimate prize.

In the final portion of verse 2, we gain even more insight into this first step of the emptying process by following Christ’s example. The text states, “for the joy set before him, He endured the cross.” This term “joy” in its original form is defined as the awareness of (God’s) grace. This was Christ’s motivation, to extend the grace of God through His work on the cross.

Where do I place my joy? Is it my awareness of God’s grace that motivates me to accept and respond as Christ did for me? As we begin to experience the awareness of God’s love and the depth of His mercy, our hearts are softened to the work of grace. 

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"Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood" (Hebrews 12:3-4).

Secondly, we see how Christ’s costly act of grace invites us to not lose heart in our emptying process. We all can relate to feelings of exhaustion and discouragement. Forgiveness requires sacrifice and repentance often feels painful, yet even in our most challenging advances towards spiritual maturity we are called to consider, or rather, measure our sufferings with the standard of Christ.

What a humbling reality!

How often we neglect to reflect on the cost of Christ’s gospel of grace. We sing of its sweet sound while never fully considering the weight of its worth. In this step towards the mind and attitude of Christ, we are stripped of our selfishness to assume we have given “too much” grace.

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes this consideration of Christ’s ultimate emptying in verse 4 with the sobering inquiry as to the extent of our suffering against sin. We can become so weary in our journey towards Christ-likeness when we forget to consider what Christ has done for us and how it is Him who works in us.

It is here I learn to forgive with freedom and surrender with assurance, knowing that I am sharing in Christ’s suffering as the Apostle Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:12-13, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.”

May we reflect on this truth daily and learn to rejoice in the glory that is to be revealed in our suffering for the sake of Christ. 

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"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:11).

Step three of this emptying process challenges each of us to value the work of sanctification throughout our lives. Verses 4-10 of this passage reframe the hardship of pressing into Christ-likeness as an intimate aspect of our relationship with a loving father. For He disciplines those He loves (Psalm 94:12) and in His grace will in time restore and strengthen those who stand firm in the faith (1 Peter 5:10). 

This step of emptying ourselves as Christ did, is often misunderstood due to the negative labels given to the term discipline. In contrast to its disapproving reputation, discipline in its biblical context is defined as instruction, teaching, or reproof which trains one to reach maturity. This is why James encourages us to count it as “joy” when we meet trials (v.1). He expounds on this perspective in the following verses saying,

“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-3).

What value we can find in these words by applying them to the challenges we face in our race toward our heavenly prize. With this new perspective, we can better understand the importance and value of the Lord’s discipline in our lives.

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"Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed" (Hebrews 12:12).

We all know healing takes work. If you have ever had a broken bone or a sprained ankle you know personally the time it takes for bones to heal and weak muscles to regain strength. The same is true for our souls.

This step towards healing demands our dedication. For growing in grace begins with movement towards inward empathy. In light of our redeemed perspective of hardships presented in the previous verses of Hebrews 12, the author challenges us to realign our pain, so that we may truly heal.

Throughout many passages of Scripture, the concept of the “straight path” relates to one’s direction towards healing.

Proverbs 3:6-8 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Be not wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

These verses give us a clear direction towards healing. First, this process begins with placing our trust in God fully. Accepting His love and grace which begins the work of redemption. Then, we are encouraged to acknowledge God in our lives, which allows Him to direct our path. Finally, as we deepen our fear of the Lord, with the understanding of who He is as a Holy and good God. By emptying ourselves of the pain of our past, we begin to experience the comfort of Christ and the hope found in healing.

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"Strive for peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Finally, in embracing this fifth step of the emptying process, we are challenged to pursue peace. This attitude of grace humbly accepts and receives that which brings harmony and wholeness. Although we know that conflict is inevitable, the way we respond to such interactions reflects the state of our character.

I am the first to admit that seeking peace with those who have hurt me is challenging. Forgiveness requires our hurt to be emptied and anger to be expelled. Before striving for peace, we must work through the four previous steps. In being focused on Christ’s sufficiency, aware of his great love for me, I can embrace my dependency, and strengthen my internal empathy. It is here by grace that the work within my heart compels me to respond as Christ did for me.

The Apostle Paul details this lifestyle of peace in Colossians 3:12-15, saying:

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.”

Oh, to let the peace of Christ rule our hearts!

These outward expressions of peace towards others can only be developed within our lives as we continue to open our hearts up to the peace Christ has given us. So, with this encouragement, let us press on. Let us embrace the cost of grace and be emptied of ourselves so that we may learn to live as Christ did!

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Carley Marcouillier: A northerner by heart southerner by choice, Carley currently calls Virginia her home. After completing her Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, Carley began to develop a passion for integrating the principles of counseling practice with the foundation of Christian theology. In addition to her clinical work, Carley is passionate about discussing topics of faith, theology, psychology, and everything in between on her social media platforms www.carleymarcouillier.com, Instagram, and Facebook