Paul encourages us to adopt the same mindset about life
that Jesus had. He goes on to explain that Jesus proclaimed that He was equal
with God. With Christ in us, we too have His Godly nature (Philippians 2:5-6).
Even with His divine nature and character, however, Jesus
did not use this fact to build His reputation. He did proclaim His deity (John
10:30, 17:21), but He did not use this fact to promote Himself.
We learn this same humility in our daily walk
(Philippians 2:7), which allows us to also serve one another (Mark 9:35). Jesus
obediently paid the ultimate sacrifice on Calvary's cross and taught us to lay
down our life for one another (Philippians 2:8; 1 John 3:16).
When we realize that our sin crucifies again the Lord
Jesus Christ, we run from sin and live in the will of God instead (Hebrews 6:6;
1 Peter 4:2). We want to honor God with our thoughts, words and deeds.
Jesus fulfilled the law through His birth, death and
resurrection (Matthew 5:17). He kept God's commandments and He helps us to keep
them too. We abide in His love (John 15:10), and He gives us His wisdom,
righteousness, sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).
Through His death, God exalted the name and person of
Jesus above every name, and every tongue will eventually proclaim His Lordship
over all the nations of the earth (Philippians 2:9-11).
Jesus did not abandon us, but He sent us the Holy Spirit
of God to teach us all things and to bring them to our remembrance. God's
Spirit teaches us to change our focus from one of carnality to one of
spirituality (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The Spirit serves as our comforter and guide (John 14:26,
16:12-15; 1 Corinthians 2:11-13; Acts 8:29, 11:12), and helps us to be
like-minded, loving and living in one accord with the rest of the Body of
Christ (Philippians 2:1-11).
Jesus' life and crucifixion exemplified perfect patience
(1 Timothy 1:15-16). With the mind of Christ in us, we find spiritual support,
comfort of love, fellowship with His Spirit, affection, mercy and joy in our
relationship with Christ.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for giving us the mind of Christ,
which helps us to make sense of this world of strife and confusion (Philippians
2:5). You inspire us to live in humility and to serve one another as Christ
serves us. We look out for one another and protect each others interests
(Philippians 2:3-4).
Although Jesus is equal with You, He still took the form
of a man in order to redeem us from our wickedness and sin (Philippians 2:7-8;
Matthew 20:28). We exalt His name in our hearts and with our lives and look
forward to His rule and reign on this earth for eternity (Philippians 2:9-11).
Thought for the Day:
Once we learn to think as Jesus thought, then we can
live, move and find fulfillment on this earth just as Jesus did in all of His
humility, love and power. - Acts 17:28
