THINKING AND LIVING LIKE CHRIST
Dale Carnegie has wisely said “that you are not WHAT you think you are, but what you THINK you are…” It is not anything outside of you that make you. It is not seeking to be like somebody or having something material that makes you, but the thinking inside of you that makes you who you are. It is the things that are going on between your 2 ears.
If I think right it matters not what is going on in my circumstances I can be victorious. If I think right I can control my circumstances rather than they controlling me. This is true even when I am confronted with the worst circumstance. A poet wrote a note that would give you a sense of this when he said..
Two men in prison behind bars…
One looked down and saw filth …
The other looked up and saw the stars…
The one who had the better outlook was the one whose mind had the best uplook. But when you possess stinking thinking than that will become the world that you create and reside in and it will become a world of defeat and continuous setback. That is why some people can experience a hellish existence even in an almost perfect environment, even in a utopia…
As long as one can look up there is liberty and freedom, as long as you can lift up your eyes unto the hills from whence cometh your help and know your help comes from the Lord who made the heavens and the earth. When you can learn to praise Him with an anyhow praise… Praise Him from whom all blessing flow, praise him all creators here below, praise Him all ye heavenly host… Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost… you will find when you praises go up… blessing will come down.
IT ALL START WITH YOUR THOUGHTS
The Bible states in Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…
so if I have stinking thinking than likewise my existence in my world will become one of defeat and suffering… HOW TRUE ARE THE FOLLOWING WORDS
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
That is why in verse 5 in chapter 2 states,
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
When you study the life of Paul you will find Paul’s thoughts and mind was always Christ-centered in the Bible
The Preaching of Christ was the business of Paul’s life
The Presence of Christ was the good news of Paul’s life
The Image of Christ was the crown of His life
The will of Christ was the law of his life
The glory of Christ was the end of his life
The resurrection of Christ was the proof of his life
When he traveled it was on Christ’s errands
When he suffered it was in Christ’s service
His mind was always on Christ. It was Christ who was the absorbing subject of his life, That’s why in 1st Corinthians 2:2 Paul stated… For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WE HAD THE MIND OF CHRIST?
What would be the results if such a supreme thing like that would happen in Good Hope?
What would it take to make it happen? I am glad you asked?
1. IF WE HAD THE MIND OF CHRIST JOY AND UNITY WOULD BE THE OUTGROWTH OF THINKING LIKE CHRIST
Paul opens up chapter 2 by stating
Php 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (which means affection and compassion)
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
A. JOY WOULD BE EXPERIENCED verse 2 “Fulfil ye my joy”
Paul wanted them to know that his joy would be complete. I wonder how much genuine joy is in the church.
Paul wanted them to know this would take place if they comforted and consoled one another and fellowshipped in the Spirit of Christ. The word “comfort” means one who pleads another’s cause, an intercessor… someone who especially comes to the aid of another. In fact, the word “comfort” comes from the same word that Christ used when He wanted His joy to remain in the disciples even on His way to the cross when He spoke about the Comforter who is the Holy Spirit, in John 16:7
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the COMFORTER will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
If you were to read further in John 16, Christ calls the Holy Spirit the Comforter and the Spirit of Truth. Is it not the Holy Spirit that aids and comforts us? Is it not the Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth? Is it not the Holy Spirit that leads us to the blessed feet of Christ? Paul is saying that if we interceded on behalf of one another in the Spirit and love of Christ, if we thought like Christ joy would be completed … and we ought to remember that the Joy of the Lord is our strength.. Thou the fig tree does not blossom …
B. UNITY WOULD RADIATE AND SPREAD verse 2
2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded,
having the same love, being of one accord of on mind.
… I wonder if that is what we experience in our churches we in one accord… do we have one mind, are we bathing in the same love. Is there radiance from God that spreading heart to heart, breast to breast, and mind to mind. We must be careful that we are not Teflon and like Velcro … there ought to be something about us from that make others want to stick close to us… Am I a Teflon Christian or a Velcro Christian. Am I only concerned about myself. I don’t want those folks bothering me… i don’t have time for them folks or do I invite people into my circle, do I make myself available for others without counting the cost.. Is my joy just spreading Christ
If we are Teflon Christians than Satan will come and squirt Pam on that non-stick strayed on these humans skillets. If we let him spray us nothing good will stick and nobody bonds. One of the tests of whether we abide in the faith and having the mind of Christ is that Christ calls us to community…we draw others to us. The devil has one job and that is to divide.
2. IF WE HAD THE MIND OF CHRIST, HUMILITY RATHER THAN PRIDE WOULD BE SEEN IN OUR SERVICE TO ONE ANOTHER AND GOD
Paul in verse 5 after he exhorts us to have the mind of Christ, he introduces us to Christ’s awesome credentials.
…Who being in the form of God… thought it not robbery to be equal with God...
In others words Paul is saying that Jesus is God… How awesome that is and Paul declare emphatically that Christ would not have exaggerated His person by coming down from earth and proclaiming for all to hear that He is God… He would not have robbed God of the due glory meant to Him by stating such a fact. He had the perfect right to say to all men bow down but He didn’t do so. Paul stated this awesome fact that the Creator humbled Himself to become like His creators.
In Colossians 2:9 Paul would echo this pronouncement…
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
The Message Paraphrase Bible puts it this way… Phil 2:5-8 (MSG)
5 Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. 6 He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. 7 Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! 8 Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
Note it said “selfless and not selfish”… If He humbled Himself who are I to think folks need to serve and bow down to me.
Also notice in verse 7 after Paul introduces us to the awesome credentials of Christ the example for us to follow…that there are 3 things that Paul brings to our attention
7 But
made himself of no reputation, (1)
and
took upon him the form of a servant, (2)
and
was made in the likeness of men: (3)
1. No Reputation means that He made Himself empty…He made Himself void …
2. Servant really means more like bondservant – who is one is devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests… He has no will but fulfilling the will of the one who is the subject of his devotion. In Christ’s case His will was to fulfill perfectly the will of the Father.
3. Made in the likeness of men -- means for example, having the resemblance, such as amounts almost to equality or identity. Jesus identified completely with human experience using no advantages of deity on His own behalf.
Notice what Christ did… Notice what proved His humility
later part of verse 8 …HE WAS OBEDIENT UNTO DEATH
Obedience means to give ear to listen and to do like a porter who opens the door as soon as it is knocked… in the O.T. in Exodus 21:6 to have an awl bored through the ear was a sign of obedience’s perpetual unending servitude…
Christ demonstrated a continuous obedience to His Father unto death EVEN the DEATH ON THE CROSS…
I WONDER IS ANYBODY CONCERNED WITH HIS AGENDA
Do I really want His mind??? Than I dare you to ponder these 3 questions.
1. Ask yourself how obedient am I to the cause and word of Christ, how close do I follow His example
2. Do I consider my "standing" before others (whatever that may be) something to be held on to? Is it your “title” that makes you all that you are… are you about “seats” rather than “service”
3. Do I consider myself more important than others, and consider that distinction something to be preserved at all costs?
If so, then I may lack "the mind of Christ"! Jesus said that he who would be great among you is he that is a servant
3. IF WE HAD THE MIND OF CHRIST GOD WOULD DO THE EXALTING JUST AS HE EXALTED CHRIST verse 9
(God’s 2 responses to Him) verse 9
9 Wherefore God also
hath highly exalted him, (1)
and
given him a name (2)
which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
(3 places where these knees reside) of things
in heaven, 1)
and
things in earth,(2)
and
things under the earth; (3)
If there are places other than these 3, no one knows of them so means that EVERY knee in EVERY place shall bow. Likewise, EVERY tongue in EVERY mouth EVERYWHERE will confess that He is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
It was because of Jesus’ demonstrated humility and obedience God highly exalted Him. The words “highly exalt” means to be exceedingly raised to the very summit of affluence, magnificence, and prosperity.
Unfortunately there are too many church people trying to exalt themselves and busy building their own summits. There are too, too many who are like those constructors of the “Towel of Babel”, whose aim was to “build a name for themselves”. There are too many who are erecting stairs to heaven of their own way and making. They had better watch out for in the end …God will always come down and confound their speech and confuse their purpose. The results of your effort will be pulled down, no unity, no communication but just a lot of noise… take to heart the words of Jesus in these verses..
Mt 23:12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Mark 8:34 … he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.
That is the reason that right now I am not going to wait but I am going to bow down and cry holy to Christ right now. My tongue right now is going to confess that He is my Shield, and my Buckler. I am going to say right now like John the Baptist that “He must increase and I must decrease. So the Lord is saying that if we humble ourselves just like in Philippians 2 Christ experienced than “Exaltation Day” we will experience. Exaltation Day is on the calendar.. Also it is good to know when God exalts you no one not even the demons in hell can bring you down.
That is why Paul’s credentials to Paul about Paul meant nothing… in Philippians 3:
Not my agenda – PAUL HAD ALL THE TITLES … Phil 3: 4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Phil 3:4-7 (KJV)
I want to know him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering... Without the mind of Christ we have today crossless Christianity.
One poet said these powerful words
Has thou no scar, no scars on feet, on side, on hands,
I hear songs mighty in the land
I hear them hail thou ascendant star, the Star of Bethlehem
But has thou no scars
Has thou no wound, but I was wounded by the archers spent, they leaned me against a tree to die,
And rent by ravenous beasts that accompanied me I shooned
But has thou no wounds, no wounds, no scars.
As the Master so the servant be and pierce are the hands and feet that follow me.
But thine are whole, could he have followed far who has no wounds, who has no scars...
Exaltation takes “knowing the power of His resurrection” As Christ got up, one day we will get up …
If one desires the mind of Christ God must be on the agenda everyday, for example, there will be a things to do list totally Christ-like. There will be something for me to do every day of the week.
Monday - Wash Day Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility through the week ahead.
Tuesday - Ironing Day Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice. I have collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday - Mending Day God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for others.
Thursday - Cleaning Day Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.
Friday - Shopping Day O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others in need of love.
Saturday - Cooking Day Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday - The Lord’s Day O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart as my honored guest so I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.
