HAVE THIS MIND

Phil 2:5 – “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

                The past tense, “was also in”, is speaking to Jesus as the man who gave up the glory that was previously His and lowered himself in all humility to the state of fallen man (though a sinless man). But the apostle’s command was, “let this mind be”. This mind, the thinking, the constant focus on the absolute of things – the word of the Father’s love forever settled in the heavenlies and the Spirit’s leading here on earth to the mission to be accomplished.

                The NASB says, “Have this attitude in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

               

                In both instances the word “in” has the meaning of within some whole, within some defined space. I tend to think first of humility for if we have not an attitude of humility we are tempted to exalt self, to seek the praises of men, abuse and misuse the gift(s) given.

                Jesus said, “I did not come to be served but to serve”. We must be baptized, fully immersed in that attitude. It becomes a bit easier to realize and act in accord with that attitude if we will come to understand that all we have has been given as a grace gift, an undeserved life coupled with, “Without me you can do nothing”. We can’t even think as He is now thinking unless we remain in Him, within His word.

               

                If not within Him, drawing all from Him, we remain outside and are left with nothing. However, if we are within Him who is our Eternally Living Life we can say as Paul, “I can do all things through Him Who is my strength”.