Consider the “mind of Christ” as we meditate on the following verses. Note how many times the word “mind” is used: Philippians 2:1-8
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
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.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who being in the form of God……..
Made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men,
……….he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

There is enough challenge in these verses to revolutionize my life. We often use the term: “I have a mind to do something,” and we do it. Our mind is governed by our heart. Our mind is the expression of our heart which manifests in our actions of the outer life, that is, what we do.

When we are born-again our salvation is sealed but then the Holy Spirit begins His work in us to exchange our minds for the “mind of Christ,” (verse 5)…..”Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” so there is a “letting,” an allowing – a choice! If I have a mind to do something from a heart that is Christ ruled, there will be godly fruit. “His” mind esteems others, is sensitive to their needs, affects my peace and my relationships to others. Christ’s mind is the only one that glorifies God.

God looks on our heart and sees the motive of what we are doing. It is not what we do that is important to the Lord, but why we do it – to be seen of men, (vainglory,) or to please God? The mind I operate in is related to my heart condition – the mind of Christ, or my mind?

2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” There is a simplicity in Christ that we often forget. If my heart is right, Christ-ruled, then my mind will be right and my life will be right. If I am operating from an unruly heart, one that is out of order, then my mind and my life will be unruly and lacking in God’s peace and joy. So often we do not deal with the simple order of things and lose our way. There is a simplicity in the mechanics of our salvation. Any time I do not rely on the Lord, I exchange His mind for my mind and make mistakes which effect every area of my life. We are all in the School of the Spirit and must learn not to be hurt by our mistakes, but to learn from them. If we let our feelings dictate to us, we are not where God wants us to be. Feelings are deceiving, only what God says is true. God is not a hard taskmaster, He is our loving Heavenly Father. He loves us just as we are, but loves us too much to leave us unchanged. God can use our mistakes and failings to fertilise His Incorruptible Seed sown in the garden of our hearts. As we embrace humility and humble ourselves before Him and others, the life of Christ will grow and flow out through us, bringing glory to the Lord. As we grow in Him, we discover, as the Psalmist did, that the Lord’s commandments are not grievous to me, but a delight….”I delight to do your will, O Lord.” God loves a cheerful giver. I cannot do the will of God miserably!

Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are they who do his commandments, that they might have right to the tree of life, and may enter in to the gates of the city.” His commandments are not optional if I want to walk in all the fullness of God He has prepared for me. The fruit of obedience is joy and peace and a delight in new intimacy with the Lord. We do not have to wait until we get to Heaven to enter in to our inheritance. Christ’s substitutionary death on Calvary, and resurrection purchased an inheritance for every Believer to receive, live and enjoy here on earth. This is where it all begins. We have a glorious Hope, His promises, His Holy Spirit to enable us to enter into our birthright – divine destiny of the fullness of the Son of God abiding in a Christ-ruled heart, with His mind finding expression through us. Do not defraud yourself and others of the divine treasure God has put within you. It needs an outlet. Swing wide the doors of your heart and let the King of Glory out to a hungry world!

LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU THAT WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS…..