Have This Mind

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.” Philippians 2:1-8a

Paul supports his admonition with a list of preliminaries, each of which would have stirred the hearts of these Philippians. Of course they’d known the sweetness of love’s comfort, spiritual oneness, and mutual affection and sympathy. All these prompted good feelings of acceptance, security, blessedness, even willingness to give. Yet from there Paul turns from feeling to thinking- these are to stimulate right and holy thinking and doing. Don’t live in the flux or soothing ease of emotion, but act according to righteous thought, what is true about Christ and should be about you.

Christ Jesus had a holy mind. He was no victim of caprice or circumstance, or the whims of jealous religious leaders or a cruel government. By act of His will, He deliberately humbled Himself for us, to win for us the truest comfort and fellowship we can know. With purity of decision, He considered the eternal life of HIs children of greater value than His life on earth. With clear mind He yielded Himself, walked to the cross, exhibited compassion, forgave sinners, and gave up His spirit unto death on our behalf. (Mark 15:22-24; Luke 23:32-34,39-43; John 19:25-30)

It is only with the mind of Christ that we are able to humble ourselves, set aside flesh bent toward selfishness, and put others before us. These are not natural for human nature. Graciously, the Lord works into us by the power of His Spirit what he wants to work out of us. (Philippians 2:12–13)

With what do we fill and exercise our minds? Input proceeds to output. How might, and will, we begin to develop thinking on all that is true about Jesus, and then putting His ways into practice? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:8)

Are we earnestly desirous to love the Lord with all our minds, and then prefer others in that love? If not, would we ask Him to work this passion and commitment in us? What evidences do we display of genuine selflessness in day to day deference, generosity, stepping out of the limelight? How might the Lord be calling us to act by will in areas and situations that don’t feel good, but are right? If none, what will we do about it? (Luke 10:27)

Loving Lord, work into me Your mind, and out of me Your gracious, generous humility towards those I meet, that they might meet You. (1 Corinthians 2:16)