"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 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." Philippians 2:5-8
People often seek to have things done their own way in the church. Rather than considering the wants and needs of others, it is so often "my way or the highway." But what does God's Word call upon us to do?
"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others..." (v.3-4). Instead of seeking our own interests and desiring vain glory, we ought to regard the needs of others before our own.
The apostle Paul tells us to have the same mind in us which was in Christ Jesus. It would not have been robbery for Christ Jesus to have lived His life in this world in the full glory of God, for He was and is true God with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Instead, He humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant, made in the likeness of men, and He was obedient to the will of His heavenly Father even to the point of bearing the guilt of our sins and dying upon the cross as our substitute that He might make full atonement for the sins of all and redeem us to God. And it was for that reason that God raised Him up and exalted Him to His own right hand.
The apostle Paul's desire for the church at Philippi was that the believers be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. That is also God's will for us today. And the way to do this is to have the mind of Christ -- humble, submissive to the will of the Father, and self-sacrificing for the good of our fellow believers.
O gracious and merciful God, grant unto us the mind of Christ -- that we might be like Him in obedience to Thy Word and sacrificing self for the benefit of others. In His name we pray. Amen.
[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture quotations taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Editorial on 08/31/2016