Philippians 2:1-18
Surrender, not study, leads to the mind of Christ.
Lordship, not learning, leads to the life of Christ.
Though we can certainly learn about the mind of Christ, His mind is not something we acquire by learning. And though we definitely can learn from the mind of Christ, His mind does not infuse and become our own through mere study and self-effort.
The mind of Christ is a gift we receive when we yield to His Lordship. The mind of Christ comes freely through redemption and regeneration. Unless we have the Spirit of Christ, we cannot have the mind of Christ. Unless we live our lives by Him, we cannot think as He thinks. To have His mind we must have His life.
Now, for some excerpts from The Mind of Christ and its emphasis on one of Christ’s distinguishing characteristics…
Most Christians have a healthy regard for humility. After all, God in His Word extols and exalts this virtue in language that borders on the incredible once you stop and think about it. Just listen to what He has to say!
“God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5, and see also James 4:6). Can you imagine getting into a pushing contest with God?! The proud do it all the time. The humble, on the other hand, receive God’s marvellous, matchless, loving grace. Grace — what it takes to be saved and to live successfully for God — is granted only to humble. Amazing!
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10). How we thrive on recognition. What a blessing when others rescue us in our debacles. Such a blessing to have encouragers in our violent storms and bleak moments. And who wouldn’t want God Himself to lift us up? The better question is, Whom does God lift up? The humble!
The humble are on God’s side. Of course we Christians will hold humility in high regard! At least we do so conceptually. When we must actually define or identify humility, especially in ourselves personally and individually, we begin to get perplexed and perhaps even uncomfortable.
“Esteem other better than themselves” — on what basis should I do that?
Can I be a Christian and not “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”? Does God expect me to somehow actively pursue that?
This mind in me: “Made himself of no reputation”?
This mind in me: “Took upon him the form of a servant”?
This mind in me: “He humbled himself”?
This mind in me: “Became obedient”?
I bow my knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Amen.
Excerpted from Emulating Jesus’ Attitude
Additional Reading
- Giving Myself in Service to Others
- Practical Humility
- Giving of Myself to Others
- Overcoming Strife and Vainglory
- Nothing. Period.
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