In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus – Philippians 2:5
Paul encouraged the believer to look at the Lord Jesus Christ to learn how to conduct themselves. He was to be the guiding principle in the Christian life.
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus Philippians 2:5
It was only when Jesus teachings were put into operation that a believers character could be transformed so that it would be pleasing to God.
One mind
These words were written to the believers living at Philippi and they are intended just as much for us living in the 21st century. Human nature has not changed much since the first century when Paul wrote these words. Paul wanted the believers to be of one mind with Jesus but also with each other:
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:2
The Weymouth version puts it well:
Make my joy complete by being of one mind, united in mutual love, with harmony of feeling giving your minds to one and the same object.
Paul therefore is appealing to believers to have mutual love and unity. He does this because he knows full well that humans have characteristics and tendencies that can create discord amongst believers if they are left unchecked.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2: 3-4
Love and selflessness
When we look at the life and character of Jesus we see two vital qualities – love and selflessness. Paul pointed this out to the believers:
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:7
He was reminding the believers of the life and selfless example of their Lord and Master. He wanted them to know about the great price that had been paid on their behalf.
The responsibility of the believer
Once a believer is baptised he (she) makes a lifelong commitment. This commitment includes meeting certain responsibilities in their service. The fundamentals of service, humility and obedience, were seen in the life of Jesus and they are to be reflected in the service of the believer. We should always remember the principle that Jesus is the Master who we are to emulate.
When people of the world look upon a believer they should be identifiable as true followers of Christ. The standards of the believer must be high as they aim for righteousness. To have a mind like Christ is not easy as we tend to spend a lot of the day out in the world. For example, on average most of us spend eight hours a day in the workplace. But when people observe us in the workplace (or anywhere else in the world) they should see one that reflects Christ in the way he (she) behaves. These are words of advice Paul wrote to the fellow believer, Titus:
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Titus 2: 11-12
These are sound words to be remembered. We can sometimes get caught up in the rush of this world and forget them.
Paul in his letter to the believers at Galatia spoke about Christ’s virtues that they were to reflect. They are known as the “fruit of the spirit”:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
These attributes reflect the mind of Christ and are the ones we are encouraged to reflect in our own lives.
The Mind of Christ
During his ministry, Christ came to a place near the Sea of Galilee. He gave a discourse which is known a Sermon on the Mount. As he spoke the crowds came to hear what he had to say. The Sermon on the Mount is recorded in Matthew chapter 5 to 7 and is well worth reading. It was a discussion on moral and spiritual values. His teachings in this sermon had such an impact that people were visibly moved at righteousness which he spoke about.
And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7: 28-29
Jesus teachings during the sermon revealed what Godly love and righteousness was truly about. These are some of the concepts that he taught (Matthew chapter 5):
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied”.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”.
Jesus Christ was all these things, for he was the very personification of meekness, righteousness, and purity. His was the one sinless life, the only life acceptable to God as an offering for the sin of the world.
The teachings of Jesus can change our lives if we try to be like him. The things in our life that can cause distress can be diminished when we put on the mind of Christ. The cares of this life seem somehow less burdensome when we pray through his name to the Father. We suddenly find solutions to problems that seemed insoluble, and find strength where only weakness dwelt before.
A new and living way
When we try to emulate the character of Jesus and think about his life, we find a new way of thinking and a new way to behave on a daily basis. At the centre of his teaching is love – this is something he had shown towards his disciples.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34
This wonderful example of warmth and understanding, conveyed in the words “as I have loved you”, was to be the motivating force in their relations with one another.
Conclusion
The central verse we have considered in this article is taken from Philippians chapter 2 and verse 5:
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
What care, then we have to take of our minds! Our spiritual progress lies in the purifying of our inmost beings, our deep-seated processes of thought, in the cleansing of those hidden drivers of motive that are the source of all our activities and behaviour.
The example of the Lord Jesus Christ is the one we must use to guide us in our daily living. Jesus is the hope of our salvation. If we seek him in the meekness of quiet faith we shall feel his nearness, and know that we are the sheep of his pasture, and shall enter in and find sanctuary and rest.
