The Mind of Christ

The Mind of Christ

Paul writes in 1 Cor. 2:16: “For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” This was a powerful statement. Here we see what Paul was working on.

My mind determines my life. It is written that the noble person has noble thoughts and holds fast to what is noble. [Norw.] The mind of Christ is always occupied with what is good and noble, what is according to God’s will and good pleasure. If I have the mind of Christ, then I do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind I esteem the others better than myself. Phil. 2:3. I must keep my thoughts in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 2:5-8. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” I need to test myself in this: that I keep myself in humility, humble myself, and arm myself with the same mind, with the mind of Christ. “For he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.” 1 Pet. 4:1. My thoughts seek those things which are above.

We sing in WotL 249: “Life comes alone from Christ Jesus—pure living streams from Him pour. No one but Christ truly frees us from lusts within that wage war.” In this way, the new life emerges—my own will, my lusts and desires are crucified. The mind of Christ leads to a blessed life, where the virtues of Christ and the fruits of the Spirit become manifest: love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and purity. Gal. 5:22. Such people belong to Christ. They are those who walk in the Spirit and do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Gal. 5:16.

Paul writes in Col. 3:3-5: “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Rom. 6:11: “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

If we continue in this work, then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus! Phil. 4:7.