In a very familiar text and oft-repeated theme, we are encouraged to have the mind of Christ as Christ-followers. Sometimes it is called “Christlike thinking.” At other times people just quote the verse, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” In all reality, variations of this mantra fill messages, cards, and advice-giving.
What does it mean though? How would I know if I had the mind of Christ on something?
In today’s article, I will share six aspects of the mind of Christ as a sort of thought-starter for you to consider.
Let This Mind Be In You
The Apostle Paul challenges us to think as Christ. He writes:
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)
In this passage, Paul refers to Jesus as the perfect example of what it means for a follower of Christ to think of others or value others’ interests more than one’s own. Jesus demonstrates what true selfless living looks like in day-to-day life. Paul exhorts us to not be motivated by selfish ambition as we seek to live out the gospel daily. He explains how best to take on any day or opportunity. As we, the followers of Christ, face a new day, new opportunity, or new moment, especially as it pertains to engaging those around us, we are to do so with the mind of Christ.
Christlike Mindset – Six Aspects
What exactly is Christlike thinking? How would we even know if we were thinking as Christ?
I hope to at least get you started on thinking through these carefully as a follower of Christ. By all means, this list fails to exhaust the sense of having the mind of Christ; however, it can get you started. These six aspects reflect some of my meditation on this passage written by the Apostle Paul.
Aspect One: Humble
Jesus is humble.
Jesus began with humility. Prior to Jesus coming to earth, all the way to the cross, Jesus valued God and others more than He did Himself and His own agenda. Jesus gave up heaven to come to earth as a person. Not only that, He chose to do that as a bondslave. And there is more, He willingly submitted Himself to death – even death on a cross. How? Humility.
Aspect Two: Thoughtful
Jesus is thoughtful.
Jesus always thought about the glory of God. He did everything in relationship to the will of His father. As His mind is on God the Father, everything else remains in perspective. When people sinfully worked against Him, as people betrayed Him, as the disciples forsook Him, as He was scorned, beaten, spit upon, and nailed to a cross, the thoughtfulness of the glory of God provided Him a firm ground from which He could respond.
As followers of Christ, we must remain thoughtful as well – seeking to preach the gospel to ourselves as we live in the fear of God and contemplate what brings Him glory.
Aspect Three: Sacrificial
Jesus is sacrificial.
Jesus willingly gave something up in light of God and in service to all of mankind (or us). He didn’t have to have it all. He willingly chose to come to earth as a servant. From existing in the form of God to taking on the likeness of mankind, He did not have to grasp the glories of the throne room of God in such a way that is kept Him from choosing to come to earth.
Why? We needed Him as the second Adam to come in order to be our substitutionary atonement – the lamb slain – willingly bearing on Himself the wrath of God so we do not have to do so. He sacrificially became obedient unto death.
Aspect Four: Purposeful
Jesus is purposeful.
Not only did Jesus live with thoughtfulness, He also lived with purpose. He is the perfect example of living life on purpose. Earlier in this text, Paul challenges all believers to live with one mind, with one purpose, in one accord.
Our goal is to live worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ together. We are to strive together, even in the midst of suffering, for the gospel of Jesus Christ. One purpose – living together pulling the same direction. Jesus demonstrated this for His followers. We seek to live life with a purpose as well.
Aspect Five: Obedient
Jesus is obedient.
Jesus demonstrated what true obedience looks like – even to the point of death. And get this – not just death – but the shameful death on the cross. The perfect Son of God willingly obeyed the will of the Father to become the sinless substitute and take on Himself the wrath of God for the sin of mankind.
Friends, it is rare any person is called to die a physical death on behalf of Christ; yet we are to die daily to our will to obey God’s. We too should willingly obey the will of the Father. We seek to live obedient to His desires, for His glory, and for the good of those around us.
Aspect Six: Patient
Jesus is patient.
Don’t miss this friends. He did not live for His own glory on earth. He chose to wait and serve as a bondservant. Jesus suffered under the all the same pressures that you and I do. He endured every temptation. Day after day He also underwent the struggles of living in a sin-cursed world. It was even greater than you or I have ever experienced as He was the specific target of all Satan and the forces of evil could muster at Him. Yet He persevered. He waited on God’s timing. Why? Because He was willing to wait until the end when God places His name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God.
The mind of Christ is patient. As followers of Christ, it is the same with us, willing to follow God, enduring the suffering as it comes, while being patient for a future day of glorification. We accept and are patient with God’s plan to work out because we do not have to have it all today.
May we be like Christ!
As you contemplate one aspect or all the aspects of what it means to have Christlike thinking, I would encourage you to then go out and try. The goal is change. We cannot just simply talk about having the mind of Christ; we must seek to think as Jesus. Furthermore, we cannot simply think as Jesus; we must seek to act as Jesus. As we do think more like Jesus, our behavior should reflect it. In other words, we should change. It is not enough to think alone; we must actually put these things in practice. Our thinking should produce results.
As you move throughout your day, value God and others more than yourself. What you’ll find is that there are many, many opportunities to serve those around you when you have the mind of Christ – in at least these six aspects. As you do, you will experience greater joy. You will transition from desiring to be served by everyone around you (and the disappointment and anxiety that comes along with that desire) to experiencing the joy of serving those around you. The mind of Christ places greater value on God and others than you do yourself. Your actions flow out of what it is that you value.
My prayer for you and me today is, may we be like Christ!
Image CreditKetut Subiyanto
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
