Jesus Christ came into the world to fulfill the plan of divine redemption; to seek and to save sinners from Satan’s dominion (Lk 19:10; 1 John 3:8). He was qualified to do this task because He totally sought to do the will of the father.
Christ led a life of total obedience to the word and revealed will of the Father. He entirely consecrated Himself to only one goal – that of pleasing the Father under any circumstance, favourable or otherwise (John 4:34). He suffered, bled and died yet without murmuring (Isa. 53:4-11; Heb. 12:2-4). He humbled Himself even to the death of the cross (Phil. 2:5-8).
Having completed the work of redemption on the cross at Calvary, He gave all believers the great commission of reconciling sinful humanity to the Creator. “As thou has sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world” and “whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sin ye retain, they are retained” (John 17:18; John 20:21, 23).
The burden of the Great Commission cannot be fully discharged without the believer having the mind of Christ; neither can the depth, demands and urgency of the task be accomplished. Christ has given us a model and we must follow in his steps (1 Pet 2:21-24). We must tread the way He has trod (Phil. 3:10).
- THE MIND OF CHRIST – THE MODEL
Phil. 2:5-8; John 13:3-5; 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt 20:25-29; Lk 22:24-27; 1 Pet. 4:1-2; Eph. 6:11-13; Isa. 53:4-11; Acts26:11, 14-15
Jesus is our perfect example in all areas of Christian living ( 1 Peter 2:21-24). He exhibited much humility and holiness of life in his earthly ministry. He did not boast of anything but surrendered Himself to the entire will of God. He gave Himself and was sold to the cause of saving and redeeming lost man. This took Him to the cross, the old rugged cross where He bled and died. He avoided all traits of pride, and refused the praise of men in order to accomplish the one objective in His mind. He had only one purpose for living – to redeem man from sin, sickness and Satan.
He endured suffering (Isa. 53:4-11; 1 Pet. 4:1-2; Heb. 12:2-4) for the sake of humanity. He did not murmur or complain. He identified with the persecuted and the oppressed and had compassion on the wandering souls that looked like sheep without shepherd (Acts 26:11, 14-15; Matt 9:36; 14:14).
He always delighted in doing the will of the Father (Ps. 4:6-8; John 4:34; John 18:11)
- THE MIND OF CHRIST’S SERVANTS – EXAMPLES
1 Pet. 4:1-6, 12-18; Rom. 8:6; Gal 2:20; Phil. 3:10;Heb. 12:2, 3; Phil 2:5-8; 1 Cor. 11:1; Acts 20:24; 1 Tim. 4:7
The prophets and early disciples sought the mind of Christ to enable them pursue their course to the end. All New Testament ministers, and particularly of this generation ought to walk in the footsteps of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21). The believes in Philippi and the Hebrews Christians scattered abroad, were enjoined to have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:2-8; Heb. 12:2-3; 1 Pet. 4:1-6, 12-18). The Roman believers were told to be dead to sin and not to be conformed to this world.
Paul the apostle is a classic example of one who sought to do the will of God every step of the way. He lived in all good conscience and desired to know the power of Christ’s resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering. He reckoned himself as crucified with Christ. He was undaunted by impending peril and went about to preach the gospel everywhere and anywhere (Acts 23:1; 24:16; Gal 2:20; Phil 3:10; Acts 21:10-14). He was ready to be bound and to die for Christ. He totally hazarded his life for the name of Christ (Acts 15:26). He laid down his life for the brethren. Is your mind conformed to Christ’s? if not, may the Lord open your eyes and mind to the need of having the mind of Christ.
- THE MEANS OF HAVING THE MIND OF CHRIST
Rom. 12:1-2; 1 Cor. 4:7; Phil.3:10; Js 1:17; Matt. 7:7
Every good gift and every perfect gift comes from above. The Father is ready to bestow upon us that which we lack but we would seek Him on His terms and conditions (Js 1:17). If we ask we shall receive. We must come to Him with a ready mind and delight to do His will. With God all things are possible. To have the whole mind of Christ we must get into the following experiences.
- Get saved from sin (John 1:12; Phil. 2:5; Rom. 6:6-11)
- Consecrate your life entirely to God and pray (John 18:11; John 4:34).
- Live a pure life (John 17:17-19; Rom. 6:6-11)
- Obey God’s word and his revealed will (Jos. 1:8; 11:15; Heb. 5:8; Acts 26:19).
- Desire His will and surrender your will (Phil. 3:10; John 4:34).
- Have bowels of compassion on sinners (Matt. 9:36; 14:14).
- Have total love for God and man (Mark 12:28-31)
The whole mind of Christ was to do the will of God. He was ready to suffer and die to redeem man.
Today he has given the Great Commission which can only be accomplished if believers have the same mind with Him. We must follow in His steps (1Pet. 2:21). Yet there are means whereby we can have this gift that is lacking among believers today. We need to get saved, consecrate our lives entirely to God, get purged from all inward impurities and become holy and humble, obey His word and His revealed will. We must be willing to suffer and die for the cause of Christ. We must sped and be spent. It is a gift of God which comes as we desire and appropriate it to our lives by His grace. If we ask for the whole mind of Christ as His servants we shall surely receive (Mark 11:24). So ask today and possess your possession.