Let THIS mind be in you...' - Philippians 2:5 KJV

Part 2:

It is really important to understand what it means to have the mind of Christ. Today, we will dig deeper into understanding what it means to have the mind of Christ or the attitude of Christ, having the same mindset of Christ.

When someone become a follower or a disciple of Christ, one thing is certain and that is they cannot remain the same person. There must be a change in their life, a change in their behavior, a change in the way they think. No one can change on their own; the change takes place with the help of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new – 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV.

Let’s look at what it means to ‘let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus’. Philippians 2:1-4 tells us of some of the attitude of Christ. 1. Having the same love, mercy and compassion for others. 2. Unity in the Spirit, with one purpose. 3. Humility – considering others as more important than yourselves. 4. Unselfishness - looking out not only for one’s own interests but also for the interests of others. When we look at what it means to have the mind of Christ, one may say that this is a lot to ask for, but it was what Yeshua demonstrated for us.

1. Having the same love, mercy and compassion for others. Yeshua lived a demonstrated life of what love is. He did not just speak about love, mercy and compassion. It’s not enough to just speak about them, but they must be followed by action. Anyone can speak of love, mercy and compassion, but when demonstrated, it results in impacting of lives. Lives are changed and transformed, hope is felt and renewed, when we demonstrate love, mercy and compassion as Christ did. Is it difficult to love sometimes? Yes, it is, but we must ask the Holy Spirit to help us to love as Christ loves.

2. Unity in the Spirit, with one purpose. There is a saying, united we stand, divided we fall. As disciples of Yeshua, we are to be united in the Spirit, with one purpose. The life that we live is not about us, yet we make it to be about us. Why are we saved? Why have we accepted the good news of salvation? It’s not us who died, but Yeshua came and died to save humanity.

We must be united in the Spirit, with one purpose and that purpose is to share the good news of salvation, so that sinners can come to repentance. It’s not about a degree, a title, it’s about doing the will of the Father. Yeshua was one with the Father and only did what the Father told Him to. His purpose, His focus was to accomplish what the Father sent Him here to do. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me – John 5:30 KJV. He said to them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be concerning myself with my Father’s affairs?” Luke 2:49 CJB

3. Humility – considering others as more important than yourselves. This may be difficult for some of us, because our flesh, our sinful nature says, look at me, see me, hear me. It’s about me, myself and I. That’s not the life Yeshua lived. He considered us above Himself, when He gave up His divinity, became man and died for us. He humbled Himself and was obedient even to death on a cross for you and I. He who knew no sin, became sin for us. Though Yeshua knew that He was the Son of God, He did not demand that He be served; instead, He served others. Yeshua did not feel entitled. Is there a widow who needs your presence? Is there a single mom who needs help? Is there an elderly who needs some groceries? Let’s look for opportunities to serve others. Or are we too busy to be the hands and feet of Yeshua in the earth?

4. Unselfishness - looking out not only for one’s own interests but also for the interests of others. A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another – John 13:34-35 KJV. All the many believers were one in heart and soul, and no one claimed any of his possessions for himself, but everyone shared everything he had – Acts 4:32 CJB. The way that we have come to know love is through HIs having laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers! If someone has worldly possessions and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how can he be loving God? Children, let us love not with words and talk, but with actions and in reality! 1 John 3:16-18 CJB.

This is what it truly means to have the mind of Christ. My prayer is that the mind of Christ be also in us.