'How To' Instructions in Righteousness

Lesson 26: Have the mind of Christ

Key verse:  Phil 2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

To understand this verse, we need to look at it in context.  Here are the first eight verses of the chapter:

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 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye 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 other 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. –Phil 2:1-8

Look at all the similar phrases in verse two.  They all essentially mean the same thing, namely, harmony in the church.  One commentary I read said, “Probably there is no single thing so much insisted on in the New Testament as the importance of harmony among Christians.”  The reason for this is that God, Christ and Paul knew that this would be the hardest thing to attain, due to the general make up of the church [see Menu item 10 here].  This leads us to the admonition in verse five that we all have the mind of Christ.  What do we know about the mind of Christ?  Notice the focus of these commentaries and accompanying verses quoted in them:


[Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus] Christ laboured to promote no separate interest; as man he studied to promote the glory of God, and the welfare and salvation of the human race. See then that ye have the same disposition that was in Jesus: he was ever humble, loving, patient, and laborious; his meat and drink was to do the will of his Father, and to finish his work. ~ Clarke

 

Let this mind . . . (AV). Better, Maintain that inner disposition towards one another which was exemplified (the verb must be supplied) by Christ Jesus. ~ Wycliffe

 

'Have this mind in you,' etc. Pride is the most naked form of selfishness, which is the essence of sin (Muller). He does not put forward himself as an example, but Christ, THE ONE pre-eminently who sought not His own, but "humbled Himself" (Phil 2:8), first, in taking on Him our nature; secondly, in humbling himself further in that nature (Rom 15:3).

~  Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown

 

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. –Phil. 2:8

 

For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. –Rom 15:3

 

Here is a gospel pattern proposed to our imitation, and that is the example of our Lord Jesus Christ: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, v. 5. Observe, Christians must be of Christ's mind. We must bear a resemblance to his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. If we have not the Spirit of Christ, we are none of his, Rom 8:9. Now what was the mind of Christ? He was eminently humble, and this is what we are peculiarly to learn of him. Learn of me, for I am meek [see study on this subject] and lowly in heart, Matt 11:29. If we were lowly-minded, we should be like-minded; and, if we were like Christ, we should be lowly-minded. We must walk in the same spirit and in the same steps with the Lord Jesus, who humbled himself to sufferings and death for us; not only to satisfy God's justice, and pay the price of our redemption, but to set us an example, and that we might follow his steps.  ~ Matthew Henry

 

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. –Rom 8:9

 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  –Matt 11:29

Lesson 26: Instructions – Have the mind of Christ
 
 1] Make Christ your example in all things.

 2] Be humble, meek and lowly in heart as He is.

 3] In all things, invoke these three rules:
 

1) What does the Word of God say?
2) What would Christ do?
3) Everything we do as Christians should be done as if under the scrutiny of Christ (Col. 3:17).

These three rules cover EVERYTHING.


4] Do a perpetual Bible study wherein, as you immerse yourself into the Word of God, you record verses that demonstrate the mind of Christ.

Examples: 

In John 21:15-17 Jesus says to Peter, "If you love me, Peter, Feed my sheep [paraphrased]."  HIS MINDSET: Jesus has deep love for the church.

In Matthew 8:10, Jesus is marvelled by the actions and words of the centurion and says,  "Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." HIS MINDSET: Jesus is emotionally moved by great demonstrations of faith in others.

In Matthew 18:6 we read, "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."  HIS MINDSET:  Jesus has little toleration for those who would hurt a firstfruit member of the church.

5] Develop and invoke the same mindsets you record in Step 4.

6] Seek harmony in the church at all times.

Resources:
Sermon: Your Reasonable Service  (being a living sacrifice)
Booklet:
The Real Jesus
Booklet: Christ in the Old Testament
Booklet: Could Jesus Have Sinned?
 

back to Lesson 26