"THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"
The Mind Of Christ (2:5-11)
INTRODUCTION
- In verses 1-4 of this second chapter, Paul wrote about "The Unity
That Produces Joy", in which he described:
- The MOTIVATION for having this unity
- The NATURE of this unity
- The ATTITUDES necessary to have this unity
- In describing the latter, he called upon the Philippians to:
- Do nothing through selfish ambition or conceit
- Have lowliness of mind in which they esteem others better than
themselves
- Look out for the interests of others, and not only those of their
own
- In verse 5, Paul continues to exhort them to have "this mind" (the
attitudes of verses 3-4), pointing out that this is also the "mind of
Christ"
- In the following verses (6-11), Paul elaborates on the "mind of
Christ" (or the attitude of Christ), which will serve as the focus of
this particular study...
[First, note that "The Mind Of Christ"...]
- LACKED SELFISH AMBITION OR CONCEIT (6)
- PRIOR TO HIS INCARNATION...
- Jesus was "in the form of God"
- That is, "He existed as essentially one with God" (Vincent's
Word Studies)
- This is in accord with what we read in Jn 1:1-3
- He was also "equal with God"
- Again notice Jn 1:1
- He certainly shared similar glory with the Father (Jn 17:5),
something the Father refused to share with any created being
(cf. Isa 42:8)
- YET CHRIST DID NOT CONSIDER SUCH EQUALITY "ROBBERY"...
- Literally, "a thing to be grasped"; that is, something to be
laid hold of, and retained jealously
- The "glory" of equality with God which Christ enjoyed from
eternity was not something He felt like He HAD to cling on to
- A true demonstration of a lack of selfish ambition and conceit
on the part of our Lord!
- DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"?
- Do we consider our "standing" before others (whatever that may
be) something to be held on to?
- Do we consider ourselves more important than others, and
consider that distinction something to be preserved at all
costs?
-- IF SO, THEN WE LACK "THE MIND OF CHRIST"!
[As we continue to read on in our text, we see also that "The Mind Of
Christ"...]
- LOOKED OUT FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS (7-8)
- WHEN CHRIST BECAME FLESH...
- He "made Himself of no reputation"
- Some versions say "emptied Himself"
- He divested Himself of the "glory" He had with the Father
- cf. Jn 17:5
- He took upon Himself "the form of a servant"
- He did not come as a "king", "nobleman", etc.
- But as the lowly son of a simple carpenter
- He came "in the likeness of men"
- As such, He could experience their temptations and
sufferings - He 2:14,17-18; 4:15; 5:7
- In other words, though deity, He was truly "man" (not some
sort of "superman")
- He "humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death,
even the death of the cross"
- Consider He 5:8
- Though in every way a man like you or me (while still the
Son of God), He humbled Himself and obediently suffered and
died on the cross!
-- WHY DID JESUS DO ALL THIS?
- HE DID IT ALL FOR THE SAKE OF OTHERS!
- He became man, humbled himself as a man, was obedient, and then
died on the cross...because it was in our own best interest!
- He did it, to bear OUR reproach - cf. Ro 15:1-3; Isa 53:4-6
- Yes, He was looking out for OUR interests!
- DO WE HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST"?
- We do, if we are looking out for the interests of others
- We do, if we are willing to humble ourselves, even sacrifice
ourselves if it be in the best interests of others - cf. 1Jn
3:16
[Such is "The Mind Of Christ", one of humility and service to others;
but it is also one that is...]
- HIGHLY EXALTED BY GOD (9-11)
- IN THE CASE OF JESUS...
- He is a good example of the Scriptural maxim: "He that humbles
himself shall be exalted"
- For God has highly exalted Jesus in two ways:
- In the PRESENT - by giving Him "the name which is above
every name" (the name by which men must be saved - Ac 4:12)
- In the FUTURE - that at His name "every knee should bow...
that every tongue should confess" He is Lord! - Re 5:11-14
- BUT ALSO IN OUR CASE...
- Those who possess "The Mind Of Christ" will participate in that
great future exaltation of Christ! - Ro 8:16-18; 2Th 1:10-12
- Isn't this a wonderful motivator for us to have "The Mind Of
Christ"?
CONCLUSION
- We have seen in this passage that "The Mind Of Christ" involves...
- Humility
- Obedience
- Sacrifice
- Great Reward
- Do we possess "The Mind Of Christ"? We should, for it is the "key"
to:
- The unity that produces joy!
- One day sharing in "glory" together with Christ!
- As Christians, let's be diligent to manifest "The Mind Of Christ" in
our relationship to God and to each other
If you are not a Christian, why not begin possessing "The Mind of
Christ" by following His example of humble obedience to the Will of God?