LIVING WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST: Attitude

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  (Php. 2:5&8)

What does it mean to “…have the mind of Christ”? (1 Cor. 2:16)

The word “have” in the Greek means to access, and the word “mind” in the Greek means the intellect or the understanding.

In other words, to say that we “have the mind of Christ” means that we are able to access the intellect or understanding that Christ has.

We have this access through the Holy Spirit.

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” (1Cor. 2:11)

Jesus Christ said that He is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (Col. 2:9)

The Bible says that He is the image of the invisible God. (Col. 1:15)

Jesus said, “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30) and Jesus said, “…he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9)

“For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.” (John 3:34)

Even though Christ is the fullness of the Godhead, even though He and the Father are one, even though He is the image of the invisible God and has the full measure of the Spirit, there are still even some things that the Father has not revealed to Him.

“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32)

In the same way that there are still some things that the Father has not revealed to the Son, there are some things that the Son will not yet reveal unto us.

But those things that He will reveal, those things of which the Bible says “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man…” He will make us to know and understand completely “…by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”

This is done by us having (accessing) the mind of Christ.

But what exactly is the mind of Christ?

First of all, the mind of Christ is an attitude.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Phillip. 2:5)

The word for “mind” in this verse of Scripture is the Greek word meaning “to be mentally disposed” or “attitude”.

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phillip. 2:6-8)

Before we can ever access the intellect or knowing of Christ, we must first have the attitude of Christ.

The Bible says,

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” (1Cor. 8:1)

The Bible teaches that having knowledge has the potential to make one proud, and that “…God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

Before God will reveal the “deep things” unto us, we must make a decision to do whatever is necessary to be humble before God and man.

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6)

“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” (1Peter 5:5)

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)

Being humble is not something that God will do for us. God will not make us humble, but He will help us to be humble when we “humble ourselves” and set our hearts to walk in humility.

It is not something that will happen automatically. Humility will only happen when we crucify the flesh daily and strive to walk in it, especially when the devil begins to tell us how “smart” we are as God begins to reveal His “deeper things” unto us.

Once we have set our heart to walk in humility and having knowledge does not “puff” us up or make us proud, then God will entrust to us the “deeper things”.

We will give God, and not ourselves, all the glory for the revelation of the knowledge of His Word.

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Next- LIVING WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST: Wisdom

All twelve books in the “How to Walk Christian Series” by Raymond Candy are available now in one collection of two volumes for $6.99 each at bn.com for the NOOK, amazon.com for the KINDLE, on iTunes at the iBookstore for the iPad and iPhone, and at Lulu.com for the PC and all e-reading devices