Have This Mind

 By: Joanne Viola

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

A recent reading of this portion in Philippians had me asking the question, “What is to be the mind we have?” To answer the question, we must first ask, “What was the mind which Jesus had?”

As we look at the mind of Jesus, we discover it was the attitude to which He approached life and people. One commentary states it was “His attitude and His actions. One led to the other” (from The New American Commentary, Vol. 32, page 100). Perhaps we could even say, “One controlled the other.”

• Status was unimportant to Jesus. He did not cling to His equality with God (verse 6).
• Privileges were easy for Him to set aside. He did not use any of the privileges of deity to His advantage. He came and lived as any other human lived, facing the same challenges and difficulties (verse 7).
• He lived in humble obedience. Jesus lived in obedience to the Father, even when it cost Him His life (verse 8).

In backing up a few verses, we find  the characteristics which will become evident in our lives when we seek to have the same mind as Christ:

• We will have the same outlook as Jesus. Our outlook determines the direction or the course we will take as we journey in life. We will value the same things Jesus values. The things of this world will not have the same pull or worth to us.
• We will live with humility. We will see the worth in those around us. Our actions toward them will demonstrate that they are valued. We will come alongside of others with compassion and desire to protect the dignity of people.
• We will have consideration for others. We will look out for those around us. We will look after their interests rather than just our own. In so doing, there is less self-centeredness to be seen in our lives.

“Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:2-4, NASB)

As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, developing the mind of Christ in us, His Spirit will animate us bringing us life and motivation which will demonstrate Christ to those around us.

May His mind be in each of us
so we have the same outlook and live in humility,
and consideration of one another.

 

Photo by Donald Giannatti on Unsplash