LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus...” (Philippians 2:5).

 

This exhortation of St. Paul to the Philippian Church applies to all who call on the name of Jesus and claim Him as Lord and Savior.  It means that we are to think as Jesus thought and to follow His example of love and humility. 

 

Paul continues by describing what makes the mind of Christ unique.  He writes, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:6-8).

 

Christ, Who is the Light of the world, the Word of God made flesh, and the Creator of all things (see John 1:3), is also described by the writer of Hebrews as “…the brightness of His [God’s] glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power…” (Hebrews 1:3).  He was with the Father in the beginning when the worlds and heavens were formed: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:1-3).  In the first three verses of Genesis chapter 1 we find the Trinity working together to accomplish God’s purpose.  “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” (1 John 5:7).  When God formed man from the dust of the earth, He said, “Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness…” (Genesis 1:26).

 

I say all of this to explain the phrase “Who, being in the form of God…” that I quoted above.  Christ, as the Son of God, was the heir of all things that His Father possessed.  Jesus didn’t consider it robbery to be equal with God.  He knew that it didn’t detract from the Father’s glory at all anymore than a child’s ambition to be just like his dad diminishes his father’s character and strength.  Jesus said, “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” (Luke 6:40). 

 

“…but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men…”  It pleased the Father that His Son be made in the likeness of men and live among us.  “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…” (John 1:14).      

 

“…and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  Rather than being puffed up by the relationship that He knew with the Father, Jesus set the example for how we should live and minister to others by doing four things:

 

·        He Made Himself of no reputation.  Jesus spent more time doing what the Father sent Him to do than talking about what He was sent to do.  He was the Word; therefore, He spent His time teaching the Word.  Many times, after He had performed some miracle of healing or another, we find Jesus telling the one who He had healed not to tell anybody about it (see Matthew 8:4; Mark 7:36; Mark 8:30; Luke 8:56; etc.).  At one point, the Lord even instructed His disciples “…that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.” (Matthew 16:20).  He did this so that people’s knowledge of Him would come by revelation from the Father and not just by flesh and blood testimony.  “…for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:17). 

 

·        He Took upon Himself the form of a servant.  Jesus came to serve mankind.  He was committed to laying down His life so that others might find life.  Paul tells us, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3, 4).  To elevate those around you while decreasing the attention focused on you is to have the mind of Christ.  We, too, have been called to serve.  Jesus taught His disciples, “…whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28).

 

·        He humbled Himself.  We often see men and women of God who like to boast of the gifts and ministries that they have received from the Lord.  Jesus, on the other hand, gave all glory to God, saying, “I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge…” (John 5:30), and “…I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father hath taught Me, I speak these things.” (John 8:28).  We know that pride precedes destruction and many have fallen as a result of not learning to humble themselves.  It is much easier to “fall on the Stone” and accept the lessons that true humility brings than to have the Stone fall on us and grind us to powder (see Luke 20:17, 18).  We don’t have to sound a trumpet before ourselves to announce our gifts and ministry.  Solomon reminds us that “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.” (Proverbs 18:16).  If we will just do what God has given us to do, our gifts will be apparent to all and will open opportunities for us to be witnesses of God’s glory.  We will never have to “toot our own horn” for doors to open to us.  Just be willing, obedient, and humble; and God will take care of all the other details.

 

·        He Became obedient unto death.  Obedience is critical.  It is better than making sacrifices of various kinds to the Lord.  What good is it if I give a thousand things to God that He has not asked for but withhold that one thing that He desires of me?  He is a jealous God Who takes exception to those things that steal our time, our love, and our devotion from Him.  Isaiah tells us that if we are willing and obedient, we will eat the good of the land, but if we refuse and rebel, we will be devoured with the sword (see Isaiah 1:19, 20).  “Obedient unto death” speaks not only to Jesus’ death on the cross to redeem us from our sin, but also of dying to self and to our selfish, fleshly desires.  This is essential if we want to secure a home in eternity.  Paul writes, “...though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered…” (Hebrews 5:7-9).

 

All of these things are necessary if we are to have the mind of Christ, and it is a simple matter of “letting” it happen.  Everything that we need to walk as the Lord walked is ours in Christ.  It is not a matter of our working for it, but only of our believing it and resting in it.  If we will just abide in Jesus the Vine and allow Him to abide in us, we will bear much fruit for Him.  As Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5). 

 

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11).  Because of the reward that awaited Him in heaven, Jesus was able to endure the death on the cross and think nothing of the shame that was associated with such a death.  The joy that He knew He would experience once again with the Father overshadowed the pain, heartache, ignominy, poverty, and labor that He endured in this life.

 

Paul continues, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.  Do all things without murmurings and disputing...” (Philippians 2:12-14).  Just as obedience was an essential element in Jesus’ life, it is likewise essential in our walk with the Lord.  Scripture says that Jesus learned obedience by the things which He suffered.  We learn obedience in the same way.  A child’s behavior is made better by correction, and we are made better by the chastening of the Lord. 

 

We are encouraged by Paul’s example to work out our own salvation.  I like the way that the Amplified Bible illuminates this verse: “…work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).” (Philippians 2:12 AMP).  Why?  Because it is God Who is working in us!  He gives us both the will and the ability to accomplish His good pleasure in us.  And for this reason, we must learn to refrain from murmuring and disputing but fully trust the Lord to make the best choices for our lives.

 

Whenever we murmur, complain, and dispute about our circumstances, we are murmuring and complaining against God because it is He that has allowed those circumstances in our lives.  It is those very circumstances that God can use to work His character into our nature.  Do you remember Jesus constraining the disciples into a boat and sending them across the sea without Him right after the multiplying of the loaves and fishes?  The storm that they encountered was necessary to try their faith - and then increase their faith!

 

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the Word of life…” (Philippians 2:15, 16).  This is God’s goal for every child of His: that we be blameless, harmless, and without rebuke.  Right in the middle of this crooked and perverse world we can shine as lights, proclaiming the Word of God to the lost and dying souls who have no hope and who haven’t heard the glorious, good news of the Gospel. 

 

All things are possible when we put off our carnal thinking, bring into captivity every thought to obedience in Christ, and let this mind be in us that was in Jesus.  It is a matter of faith and a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 

 

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ...For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” (Philippians 2:27-30).

 

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He [Jesus] also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2:14, 15).