“Let this Mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 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 Himself 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 2:5-8
Within it there is both dignity and humility, loftiness and lowliness, surrender and service.
“The Mind of Christ.”
Don’t you hate it when the Lord Jesus or one of His anointed writers (like Paul) issues a mandate that’s impossible to fulfill? Such is certainly the case in today’s Manna—for there are none of us who are able to “let this Mind be in us, which was also in Christ Jesus.”
That is, until we’ve been born again.
Truly, from birth our minds “have been blinded by the god of this world lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (II Cor. 4:4). Likewise, from birth our Adamic minds are “hostile toward God” (Rom. 8:7) and long to sing “I Did It My Way.”
But, when the Light—Jesus Himself—enters that darkened heart and mind, He brings with Him a new heart and a new mind (II Cor. 5:17). Instead of continuing to operate under the world’s views and values, we begin “hiding God’s Word in our hearts” (Ps. 119:11) and develop a Biblical worldview. And, in the process we’re no longer “conformed to this world, but are transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Rom. 12:2). Hallelujah!!
Thus, when the “Mind of Christ” becomes operational within us, there are some definite changes that will be made.
One is we’ll become a God-seeker rather than a man-pleaser (Gal. 1:10). Instead of craving man’s applause, approval and accolades, we “make of ourselves no reputation”—i.e., quit trying to become “rich and famous”—choosing instead of “count it all as dung or garbage so we can know Christ” (Phil. 3:8).
Likewise, there will be a submitting of ourselves in service to God and man. Jesus, our omniscient Lord, knew what would happen to Him from the womb to the tomb during His time here on earth; yet, He still “took on the likeness of a slave and humbled Himself.” Many a time He had “no place to lay His head” at night (Mt. 8:20); other times He and His disciples were hungry and had to gather corn from the field even on the Sabbath, which incurred the wrath of the scribes and Pharisees upon them (Mt. 12:1-2).
But, that didn’t matter. What mattered was “doing the Will of Him Who sent Him” (Jn. 4:34). That’s why He willingly surrendered Himself “in obedience unto death, even the death of the Cross.” He knew there was no other way to accomplish the Reason for which He’d been sent. And, “for the Joy that was set before Him, He endured the Cross and despised the shame” (Heb. 12:2b)—all because of His Love for us. May we be like minded in our service to Christ and others as the New Year approaches, for many still live in darkness without hope.
Know more about the Mind Of Christ.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated December 31, 2010
