By John O’Malley
When I read Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” I ask myself, “Am I thinking one and the same with Christ?”
Asking myself this question makes me take an honest inventory of myself.
- Do I think one and the same with Christ?
- Do I feel one and the same with Christ?
- Do I respond to others one and the same with Christ?
- Do I have the presence of mind one and the same with Christ?
- Do I have a one and the same disposition with Christ?
- Do I have a conscience one and the same with Christ?
- Do I have the moral inclination one and the same as Christ?
As I read about the mind of Christ, I see three guiding principles which help me to align myself with the mind of Christ.
Principle One: The mind of Christ always chooses humility.
There was no assignment beneath Christ. He became a servant rather than choosing the spotlight. He chose humility over honor. He chose obedience over opulence. In humility, Christ became a man and a servant.
To think one and the same with Christ means we must choose humility no matter our place and position in ministry. When unrestrained pride smothers humility in the home, the church, and the pulpit, it hurts us and those around us. Humility is to think one and the same with Christ.
Principle Two: The mind of Christ always chooses sacrifice.
The work of His Father’s will required incredible sacrifice and death. But, Christ chose the path of sacrifice so we could be made right with God.
To think one and the same with Christ means we do not choose the path of gain. Instead, we choose the path of sacrifice. Sacrifice means something has to die. We should choose to die to ourselves to have the mind of Christ.
Principle Three: The mind of Christ always chooses submission.
Submission is to choose the low place. The Father chose humiliation to exalt His name. Submission to the Father brought salvation to man, honor to God, and elevated the name of Christ.
To think one and the same with Christ means we choose submission of our will, desires, and aspirations to bring God glory. Submission is not the same as surrender. Surrendering is to cease resisting. Submission means I do not resist, I yield.
Do you have the mind of Christ? When we have the mind of Christ:
- We choose the Father’s will above our will.
- We choose the Father’s work above our work.
- We choose the Father’s way above our way.
Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley