Today, let ‘s study some of the “Let commands” to be encouraged and strengthened as we cultivate the mind of Christ in humanity, service, and unity to imitate God for His glory and praise
Philippians 2:3 -Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than him-self. The mind of Christ see every individual as mankind, male or female made in the image and likeness of God and is worthy of God’s love, deserving of equal treatment. The mind of Christ places authentic value on all people and affirm their worth with a goal to build them up so their lives would be reflective of the God they worship to bring Him glory and praise.
As in the case of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, when Abraham made a petition on behalf of his nephew Lot, he did not considered himself more righteous than Lot, He did not condemned Lot for living among the wicked, rather he asked the Lord, the judge of all the earth to do what is right by not sweeping away the righteous with the wicked, and the Lord save Lot’s life from destruction.
Philippians 2:4- Let each of you of you look out not only for his own interest, but also for the interest of others. The mind of Christ treats people with equality. This was foreshadowed in the parting of Abraham and Lot. Abraham did not relinquish his right to his inheritance or at his own expense rather, he humbly permitted Lot to make a choice and then willing accepted the terms of agreement. Christ pursues His interest as a good shepherd when He leads guides, protects and provides for His sheep to save them to be reconcile to God. Jesus also met the interest of others through his compassionate work: He made the blind see, lame walk, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead were raised, the good news is proclaimed to the poor.
Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was in Christ Jesus, what are the attributes of the mind of Christ: Christ, God manifested in the flesh, did not considered himself equal with God, He made himself of no reputation , He did not arrive to a place with entourage or announce Himself, rather He presented himself as a servant, Jesus said: the Son of Man did not come to be served but serve and give his life as ransom for many.
God, from eternity past, the eternal God, sovereign of the universe, the most High condensed Himself in a spectrum called time, was found in the appearance as a man who washed the feet of His disciples. Think about that! Jesus said: If I the Lord and your teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Jesus, God manifested in the flesh, humble Himself and was obedient to our Father in heaven, who in turn made Jesus’ soul a sin offering to save humanity from sin to justify many. Jesus did not yield to the desires of His flesh, even though He was tempted in everywhere yet did not sin. He is able to save to the utmost those who come to God through Him, for He always makes intercession for them.
How should believers cultivate the mind of Christ?
Have a spiritual mindset: To be spiritual minded is life and peace, for a carnal mind cannot please God. As in the case of the one leper who please God, by walking in faith when he came back to Jesus, to give thanks and give glory to Him for healing him. Luke 17:11-19
Be obedient to our Father in heaven – to love God is to obey His “Let” commands.
- Creation: “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:3).
- Worship & Praise:
- “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker” (Psalm 95:6).
- “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD” (Psalm 150:6).
- Peace & Comfort:
- “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me” (John 14:27).
- “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (Philippians 4:5).
- Righteousness & Action:
- “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight ahead” (Proverbs 4:25).
- “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).
- “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts” (Isaiah 55:7).
- Spiritual Life:
- Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus( Philippians 2:5)
Serve others through the love of Christ. By Faith, lay hands on the sick in Jesus’ name and say be healed and they shall recover. We should be sensitive or empathic to the people around us, to meet or provide their needs. Christ encountered people in such a way that affected them deeply to liberate or heal them; this can be accomplished through submission to the Holy Spirit, who transformed us into the image and likeness of Christ. The Holy Spirit will endow us with power from on high to transform the lives of other. Jesus said: I am the vine and you are the branches, He who abides in me and I in him bear much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. You can do all things through Christ who strengthen you. Disciples of Christ hear His voice and obey Him. Jesus said, my sheep hears my voice and follow me. As in a case of the man born blind from birth whom Jesus healed and immediately he became His disciple.
We should cultivate the mind of Christ by being humble: We should submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit and ask him to teach us what to say, what to do and when to do it, to be an effective witness of Christ. Let your own mouth praise us but someone else. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge and He will make your path straight. Jesus said: For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me gave me a command, what I should say, and what I should speak. When we enter homes, city, or town, declare peace to it liken Jesus who says, “when you enter a house, say peace to it” and in our departure say thank you.
Sound Mind: We should cultivate a sound mind by not being anxious for anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make our request known and the peace of God that surpasses human understanding will guard our heart and mind through Christ. We should renew our minds through daily reading of the word of God, think on things from above and obey the Holy Spirit. We should be like minded: agreeable on truth, integrity and forgiving, having the same love, being one in spirit and mind according to the word of God. In reverence, we work should serve God with fear and trembling in obedience to please Him because He is Holy.
Therefore, God also has highly exalted Jesus and given Him the name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Hallelujah, Thanks be to God who causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus declaring He is Lord to the glory the Father.Amen