(Philippians 2:5 NIV)
Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
(Philippians 2:5 ASV)
As
a traveler in a land of rolling hills suddenly comes upon a great mountain
peak, so the reader of Philippians is given little warning that he or she is
about to come upon one of the Christological high points of Scripture.
Unexpectedly, in the midst of the discussion of the importance of unity in the
fellowship of disciples, Paul writes this powerful statement about “the mind
that was in Christ Jesus.” (the literal translation). Theologians have written volumes about this
passage (verses 5-11), but what is important for us to understand is that there is to be continuity
between the mind of Christ and what goes on in the minds and hearts of
disciples who are part of his church.
The nature of Jesus is not some esoteric theological issue to be
discussed only by the spiritually elite.
Who he is, is a tremendously practical and relevant issue for all of us
seeking to get along with each other and work together to make a difference in
this world. The way to have unity is to be like Jesus.
No
passage Paul ever wrote more clearly states what is involved in being a
disciple of Jesus. It means looking into Jesus’ mind and seeing his attitude,
then striving with all that is within us to have that same mind and attitude. No man should ever dare call himself a
Christian unless this is his passion. No
woman should presume to have God’s grace unless she wants that grace to produce
in her the heart that is described here.
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you
an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). “In this way, love is made complete among us
so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world
we are like him” (1 John 4:17). Peter, John and Paul all preached the same
message. To live is Christ. To live is to be like Christ. To live is to have in us this mind that was
in Christ Jesus.
This is very sobering. Thanks for the reminder that it all goes back to Jesus.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thanks Tom! Very powerful and humbling. A great focus for my day (and for the rest of my life for that matter!)
ReplyDeleteAmen brother... I think that as we stirve to have this as a part of us, our being, our mindset ...who we are at our core IS the ultimate challenge to me as a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is one that we all need to "put on" every day.
ReplyDeleteI love how you consitently tap into the heart of us all as we walk this journey together and I thank you for always helping us to dig deeper.
Ysic,
Jackie
Excellence in 500 or less words. Thank you! I have often wondered what exactly "to live is Christ" means, so I looked another version and it makes sense now:
ReplyDeletePhilippians 1:21
Common English Bible (CEB)
21 Because for me, living serves Christ and dying is even better.