Let This Mind be in You...

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

I got to thinking about this verse as I was reading recently. I finally picked up my Christmas present from last year - a secular ‘success’ book that claims to divulge the secrets of a certain type of mind (no need for specifics at this time…). The book has some good points and ideas, but I got to wondering about whether or not that type of mind was really worth pursuing. Which is when the above verse came to me, and got me to wondering exactly what “this mind” is, “which was also in Christ Jesus”. So, as we’ve discussed before, when we look at a verse in the Bible, we really need to look at the whole context. Let’s read:

¹ If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
² Fulfill my joy, that you be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
³ Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.
⁴ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
⁵ Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:1-8)

So, what mind does Paul want for us to have, to be likeminded with Christ? Verse 2 tells us to have the same love as Christ, being in unity with Him and His Spirit. Verse 3 tells us to do everything in lowliness of mind, esteeming others better than ourselves. Please note: we are NOT to be in competition with other Christians. Verse 4: look not to our own things (or interests or needs), but to the things of others. It sounds to me like we need to start by getting self out of the way and focus on others first.

And then take a look – Verses 6 & 7 point out something really amazing – in spite of the fact that Jesus was equal with God, he set that aside and became a servant. Just like we saw in the earlier verses, we set aside anything that would puff us up or put ourselves above others, and we instead become their servants. And how far do we carry this? Verse 8 – unto death.

Wow! I know we know all of this about Jesus. But how often do we really consider that we need to have ”this mind”? How does this passage fit in with the Bible as a whole? Do we see any other verses to support this point? Let’s look:

⁶ Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
⁸ Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
⁹ But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him.
¹⁰ But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.
¹¹ For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knows no man, but the Spirit of God.
¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
¹⁴ But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
¹⁵ But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
¹⁶ For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:6-16)

Verses 6-9 reinforce what we saw earlier – those who exalt themselves (the princes of this world) cannot see the wisdom of God. It is hidden from them. Verse 10-12 shows the contrast – those of us that have the Spirit of God see the wisdom of God, that we may know what God freely gives us. We need the mind of Christ to discern the things of God. We need the Spirit of God to discern spiritual things. As we humble ourselves and exalt Him, we receive what the Spirit has for us.

So, what did Jesus have to say on the topic? Let’s read:

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:34-38)

So, we see it again – self denial, take up the cross, and obey the Lord. The true, eternal profit comes from living for God, not for your self. Let’s face it, this is a hard saying, one that goes against our natural mind, but that’s why we call the things of God supernatural, isn’t it?

In conclusion, let’s look a passage from the book of Romans:

For who has known the mind of the Lord? or who has been his counselor? Or who has first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; Or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. (Romans 11:34-12:16)

I think this passage is a great summary of what we are discussing. We are all members of one body, and when we are obedient to God’s will for us we will be fulfilling our role in the body. One member is no better than any other member, when we are all doing our job. It is the ultimate team sport! So, let’s have this mind of Christ, esteeming others above ourselves, and be totally given to obedience to God. Then we will have true, lasting success!

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