“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). What a powerful message is contained in these few words. It suggests that we can know the mind of Christ and have that mind within ourselves. It also indicates that a Christian can successfully imitate Christ.
Both of the last two sentences I have written in the preceding paragraph are problematic to a number of people, even to some brethren. There are those who intimate that it is impossible to know the mind of Christ. If that is so, then we must be left to guess what mind ought to be in us. Furthermore, if we cannot know the mind of Christ, then everyone would be right and no one wrong in guessing what that mind should be. There are also some who think it a terrible thing to suggest that one can be Christ-like. I suppose that such thinking is a “carry over” from the Calvinistic notion of total inherited depravity. This view says that man is wicked at birth and only gets worse (????). To those who hold this point of view, it is shocking that depraved, miserable wretches dare think they could imitate Christ. However, Philippians 2:5 (as well as many other passages) shows in a very succinct, positive manner that man can be what God’s word says he ought to be. A Christian can have the mind of Christ according to this verse!
Albert Barnes said it well when he wrote, “The principle in this case is, that we are to make the Lord Jesus our model, and are in all respects to frame our lives, as far as possible, in accordance with this great example” (p. 169). Peter said, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Paul was an imitator of Christ and encouraged others to do likewise (1 Cor. 11:1, NKJV).
Jesus has shown us a pattern in a number of areas and we should follow that pattern. He has shown us:
- What obedience to God is all about (Jn. 4:34).
- How to treat one another (Jn. 13:34-35).
- How to live in a materially-minded world (Matt. 6:19-20; 8:20).
- How to suffer injustice (1 Peter 2:23).
- How to die (Lk. 23:46).
Paul had an earnest hope that the good church at Philippi would have the mind of Christ. We should reflect often upon these things and strive to see them in our lives also.
The above post is an excerpt from the book, The Good Church At Philippi by Terry Sanders. Follow the link to learn more about the book and purchase your copy today!
