To experience the joy of being of one mind and of being in one accord, it comes from having the mind of Christ. To have the mind of Christ is to have the attitude that Christ exhibited. Attitude is everything. Your attitude is similar to your outlook on life. It is how you look at things and how you respond to things. Warren Wiersbe wrote, “After all, outlook determines outcome. If the outlook is selfish, the actions will be divisive and destructive.”[1] It should be the goal of every believer that we take on the attitude or mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” We are to have the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ is described in four ways in this passage.
A mind of humility. Verse 6-7 describes how Jesus became one of us. Jesus, who is God, left the wonders of Heaven and humbled Himself and came in fashion as a man. He robed Himself in human flesh and become one of us. Talk about humility! The God of the universe lowered Himself to become human flesh. He did not just take on human form, but He also lowered Himself as a servant. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Jesus came to serve. Just as Jesus had a mind of humility, so should we. Just as Jesus humbled Himself, so should we. How does such humility look in the church? Ephesians 5:21 says, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” It is against our nature to submit. However, submission is a vital part of our Christian experience. We are to submit to Jesus and to one another. By submitting to one another we are submitting to Jesus. The church is not about getting one’s way or promoting one’s agenda. The church is about submitting to Christ and following Him as we submit to one another. One way to illustrate this practically is in regards to our abilities and area of expertise. For example, whom am I to tell the worship leader how to lead worship when I have no musical ability? I should have a humble mind and submit to the one who is the expert in that area. Who am I to buck against decisions that a certain committee makes? As long as nothing is being done that is unbiblical, I should humbly accept and follow the decisions made by those who have that responsibility. For me to pry and make judgment on something of which I know little about would be disruptive to the church and the cause of Christ. Having a mind of humility is being okay with things not going the way I want them to go. Having a mind of humility is not thinking I have to be included in every decision. Having a mind of humility is not pushing to have my own way. Having a mind of humility is to submit to Jesus and to others. It’s not about what is best for me or what I want, it’s about what is best for the church, the Kingdom of God, and His glory!
A mind of obedience. In verse 8, we read how Jesus was obedient to the death of the cross. He did what He came to do. He was sent to be our Savior and what a Savior He is! When Jesus went to the cross, they did not kill him that day. He willingly and purposefully laid down his life on the cross. He did it for you and for me. He did it because there was no other way. Sin had to be atoned for. Jesus was obedient to fulfil His purpose in providing a way of salvation for all who believe in Him. As believers in Christ, we should follow His example of obedience. We have been given a purpose. We have been given a mission. We should live a life of obedience to God’s Word. Such obedience invites the favor of God. Obedience brings blessing. Do you have a mind or attitude of obedience? Too often we live as rebels. We want to do what we want to do. We want to go our own way and do our own thing. We tend to think we know what is best for ourselves. God calls us to repent of our rebelliousness and commit to a life of complete obedience to Him. Total obedience is the only way. God’s way is the only way. He knows what is best. We never go wrong when we are obedient to Him.
A mind of sacrifice. Verse 8 tells us how Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. He did for us what we could never do for ourselves. There has never been a greater sacrifice, a greater act of love, than when Jesus gave His life for us on the cross. He was beaten to where He did not look human. He was spit upon. He was made fun of. He was nailed to a cross. He had a crown of thorns pressed upon His head. He went through all that suffering for you and for me. He was the perfect lamb of God that made the one and only sacrifice that satisfied God’s righteous demands on sin. Such sacrifice should be displayed in the lives that we live. The scripture teaches us that we are to present ourselves as a ‘living sacrifice.’ Just as Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us, we should live a life of sacrifice. “It is one of the paradoxes of the Christian life that the more we give, the more we receive; the more we sacrifice, the more God blesses.”[2] Think about this: “After all that Jesus has done for you, what have you done for Him? What sacrifices have you made?”
A mind of exaltation. In verses 9-11 we see how God has exalted Jesus. Because of His obedience to the cross and the humble sacrifice He made, Jesus was resurrected. The grave did not hold Him. He came out of the grave victorious. He is alive and well today. He is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. He has a name that is above all other names. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is exalted. When we take on the mind of Christ, we too are exalted. When we live with humility and in obedience to God’s Word and we live a life of sacrifice, God will exalt us. We share in His glory. 1 Peter 5:6 says, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” You do not need to promote yourself. Jesus will promote you. You don’t need to strive for glory. He will give you glory. As you faithfully serve Him, Jesus will lift you up and you will share in His glory.
Great joy is found in having the mind of Christ. We need to have the same attitude that Jesus has. Take on a mind of humility, obedience, and sacrifice. As we do, we will share in His glory and be exalted as Jesus is exalted.
[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 74). Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 76). Victor Books.
Pastor Chris Noland 