Having Christ's Mindset Toward Others and Life

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

We could spend a month discussing the truths found in these verses. You very well may have when pastor Erik taught it. This is a beautiful passage of scripture packed full of deep theological truths. Pastor Chris reminded me this week not to miss the point. This passage is pointing to Christ as our example and the very life within us to have a proper mindset of humility as we deal with each other. There are three verbs in this passage. The first is did not regard. Regard is to hold out in the front of your mind, to consider. Equality with God was not something Jesus took by force or robbed, it was what He was. The point is who He is was not what He focused on. Humanity and their need is. The second verb is emptied. He emptied or veiled His glory by taking the very nature of a bond-servant and being made in the likeness and appearance as a man. The third verb is humbled. He humbled Himself in obedience all the way to the point of a cruel and unfair death on a cross. You say that is beautiful, BUT that was Jesus. Well don’t forget how the passage starts “Have this attitude(mindset) in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus. Verse 13 reminds us that “it is God who is at work in you.” So student, parent, fellow believer take off the “religious” glasses and ask yourself, is my life marked by trying to lift myself up and promote my importance, or is it marked with a humility of mind (correct understanding) of myself and who I am in Christ? Do I see others (no matter who they are) as valuable and important, or am I too focused on myself? Do I live my life looking out for only my own interests or is there room to care for the interests of others? May we be people that allow Christ to produce His very mindset in us. May He help us to see our self, others, and our world the way He sees it.

This is part of a truth the Lord seems to be trying to teach us as a group of students. What does it mean to be a part of a youth group? Well it means a lot more than just having some fun together. It is a peer group that God has placed you in to live out close, deep, beneficial relationships. Relationships that look past those surface things that divide us into “cliques.” Anyway, I hope you as a student are spending time meditating on God’s truth and taking part in the opportunities offered. If there is anything I can do for you or your family let me know.

God Bless,

Eric