Jesus - 3
Jesus surrendered His equality with the Father, emptying himself (Phil. 2:7 ASV), when He became a human being (John 1:14). Paul holds up that mind set as an example for all Christians (Phil. 2:5ff). It serves as the perfect example of Paul’s challenge in Phil. 2:3,4: “Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”
How is the mind of Christ seen in the lives of Christians? Unity in the local congregation is one clear indicator of the mind of Christ. This unity is achieved at times by surrendering personal desires for the sake of maintaining unity. Americans have a long-standing history of emphasizing personal rights. In recent years this has become a popular cry for those who wish to impose their desires on others. This should not happen in the church. Paul wrote the Corinthians concerning the exercise of personal rights in, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s” (I Cor.10:23,24 KJ).
Another indicator of the mind of Christ is seeking to resolve problems. In the church at Philippi there was a problem between two women. Paul wrote, “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of one mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, and with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are written in the book of life” (Phil. 4:2,3). When problems exist between two or more members of the congregation unity is effected. The problem must be resolved for it interferes with the work of the church. Someone must exercise the mind of Christ and go to the other and seek reconciliation. Pride often prevents this from happening, but the mind of Christ, concerned with the greater good, acts in humility and seeks a resolution.
The desired result may require some assistance from others. This is what Paul addressed in verse 3 quoted above. It is what Jesus had in mind in Matthew 18:16,17. After saying if one is wronged by another brother (or sister) the one wronged should approach the offender. If there is no resolution “then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear the them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church . . .”
Another area showing the mind of Christ at work is restoring the erring. It is often not pleasant visiting those who have forsaken the Lord and His church. But Paul wrote, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest ye also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1,2). James put it this way, “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and a one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:19,20). The humility of mind which results from the mind of Christ, leads the child of God to seek out and help the erring.
—Denny