THE MIND OF CHRIST

Phil. 2:5

Morning Meditation 1/21/2014

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"

The mind of Christ has been a mystery in every age. It is expected that all Christ's followers should have the same disposition as their Master. “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you (“John 13:15). Let's notice some of the features of Christ's mind:

RESIGNATION

Luke 22:42, "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." This is the foundation of true Christian character. Willing to be absent from the body of self-interest and to be present with the will of God. Jesus said in John 5:30, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." John 15:3, "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."

Christ resigned His own will to the will of His Father. This is what resignation means. Webster says, “It is an accepting, unresisting attitude, state, etc.” It is committing our will to His to be used anyway He desires.

DEVOTEDNESS

“Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?” (Luke 2:42). His Father's business was the highest and the most important concern in the world. He was fully devoted to “work the works of Him that sent Me.” His meat was to do His will and to finish His work (John 4:34). What a privilege to be a partner in such a business and to be “workers together” with Him in the fulfilling the Father's purpose. Let this mind be in you which was also in Him.

MEEKNESS

Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). Where this Christ-likeness is lacking there is suitable soil for the growth of pride and presumption, selfishness, envy, covetousness, high-mindedness, and the love of pleasure more than the love of God. We find Paul beseeching believers by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (2 Cor. 10:1). He made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant (Phil 2:7). Let this mind be in you. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5). They shall be guided and taught His way (Psa. 25:9). They shall increase their joy in the Lord (Isa. 29:19). They shall find rest in His service (Matt 11:29). Meekness is not weakness. It is temper under control. Next,

PRAYERFULNESS

Christ was the busiest man on earth, but He always found time to pray, and sometimes continued all night in prayer (Luke 6:12). He was emphatically “the man of prayer.” He was never out of fellowship with His Father. His whole life was one long, unbroken intercession. “Let this mind be in you.” “Pray without ceasing.” Next let's look at His,

SYMPATHY

John records the words, “Jesus wept,” (John 11:35). He did this at the grave side of Lazarus who was a special close friend of Jesus. Even though Jesus knew He would raise Him from the dead. He could not help but weep at the grave of His friend and with Mary and Martha. Sin had done something to the eternal quality of life Christ meant for His people. He came to redeem man from death and decay but even though death is very temporary for believers, it is still an episode that was not intended in the creation of man. Jesus wept when He experienced the awful agony that death brings to the family and friends. Jesus was touched with the feeling that death brings to a family at the loss of a loved one.

Revelation 1:18, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Next we see His,

GRIEF AT THE UNBELIEF OF OTHERS

We are told, “He looked around about on the staring and skeptical crowd, and was “grieved for the hardness of their hearts” (Mark 3:5). He knew their need and also His own ability to help them, and grieved at their madness in committing spiritual suicide. As Christian worker we know the need of the unsaved, and we also know the remedy. Does this unbelief touch our hearts with real sorrow? Is this disposition in us? Next we see His,

BENEVOLENCE.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost, who went about doing good (Acts 10:38). The great purpose of His life was to show kindness and to offer help. To accomplish this He was constantly “going about” looking for opportunities “to show the kindness of God.”

Let this mind be in you; for this is the highest ideal in Christian living. May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White