₦airaland Forum

The Mind of Christ

In the message "Stand Our Ground" we began with a statement that our
Christian walk involves a process of renewing our mind. Paul wrote to
the
Romans about this renewal as an on-going process of transformation
(Romans
12:2). He also wrote about a renewed mind as something which has
already
occurred; "But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16).

The consistent message through all the New Testament is that through
faith
in Jesus we are given a new birth, with a new heart, a new Spirit, and
a
new mind. However, we are continually exhorted to live as a new
creation,
worship with a new heart, receive guidance and strength from a new
Spirit,
and make decisions and set priorities with a new mind. We must learn
to
walk according to the transformed life we have been granted!

Philippians 2:5
"Your attitude (or mind in the KJV) should be the same as that of
Christ
Jesus."

Many portions of Jesus' life were for the express purpose of giving us
an
example by which to live. With all the power of the Universe at His
command, He humbled Himself and demonstrated the mind and attitude of a

servant; "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve"
(Matthew
20:28).

He demonstrated a mind of obedience and lived to honor His Father in
ALL He
did - even though being obedient might result in discomfort or
pain, or
even death: "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from
Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will" (Matthew 26:39).

As He obediently served, Jesus also demonstrated a mind void of all
pride. With more abilities than we can possibly comprehend, Jesus
still
gave all the glory to His Father; "By Myself I can do nothing, for I
seek
not to please Myself but Him who sent Me" (John 5:30). His entire life

became an example of how we are to be an empty vessel through which God
may
work.

Moments before He died - after being beaten, whipped, spit upon and
nailed
to a cross - Jesus still demonstrated the mind of supreme love and
forgiveness; "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are
doing" (Luke 23:34).

Though we know we have far to go, the mind of Christ becomes our
example to
follow. We must develop the mind of a humble servant, void of pride,
who
desires nothing more than for our Heavenly Father to work in and
through
our life. We must humbly submit and learn to forgive others as Christ
first forgave us. Let's live as His Child. Let's continue to be
transformed, and more fully develop the mind of Christ.


Courtesy of God's Daily Word Ministries, Steve Troxel