The Mind of Christ

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

Phillipians 2:5

How many times has the praise resounded in the church, “To be like Jesus, how I long to be like Him”? Probably more times than any individual can count. As earnest as the desire may be, it is not something that happens through mental assent or drawn from a strong personal will. Being like Christ in reality is having the mind of Christ, only possible through a heart transformation.

Apostle Paul states this startling revelation when he says “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Paul is really saying let the mind of “self-emptying” take place that was in Christ. Christ, in obedience to the Father’s will, had to divest himself of all heavenly glory, coming in “the likeness of sinful flesh,” to reconcile mankind to God. Following the example of Christ, there must be a renunciation of all flesh and worldliness, receiving His nature, to have the mind of Christ (2 Timothy 2:21).

Christ coming into the world possessed His Father’s mind. At the tender age of twelve (12), revealing his mindset, the Son of God said “wist ye not that I must be about my father’s business” (Luke 2:49). Everyone around Him knew the work He was doing was not His own but rather His Father’s (John 5:30). Christ made it clear He was Servant-minded, conveying the message He did not come to be served but to serve (Matthew 20:28). Christ exemplified his humble mind transitioning from a divine form to a human form, a sinless existence to a world full of sin and corruption. The death of the cross was the ultimate and final act of an obedient mind (John 12:27).

Our Lord and Savior, through teaching and by example, allowed the people of God to examine and follow His mindset. To be like Christ and have His mind is indeed an obtainable goal. Only through “mortifying” (putting to death) the flesh, selfless, self-sacrificing and conformable service can the mind of Christ be realized.