Devotion for September 11, 2008

Let This Mind Be In You

“Therefore if [there is] any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, [being] of one accord, of one mind. [Let] nothing [be done] through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, [and] coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to [the point of] death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:1-8 NKJV)

Is there any consolation in Christ? The apostle provokes the mind as he asks his rhetorical questions. Of course there is great consolation in Christ; of course there is great comfort of love; of course there is fellowship of the Spirit; these are the blessings of salvation. They are of such great value Paul reminds the believers in Philippi of them to set at naught the great tasks to which he calls them:

1. Be Like Minded
2. Be of One Accord
3. Do Nothing through Selfish Ambition or Conceit
4. Esteem Others as Better
5. Look to the Interests of Others
6. Think as Christ Thought
7. Humble Yourself

What could possibly sustain the believer to accomplish such great things other than the blessings of salvation? The above list is completely contrary to the deeds of the flesh. Without salvation they would be impossible to do, and with salvation they are accomplish only by those yielded to the Spirit.

My dear friends, are you able to obey the commands of God? Do you receive Paul’s words? Can you walk in the humility called for in this passage?

I hope you can, but maybe you haven’t. Evaluate your life in regards to your ability to love others. If you find that you lacking the mind of Christ, then focus your attention on the work of Christ. Think about His sacrifice for you. Look at what He has purchased for you. Surely you have been compensated enough to yield your pride.

Remember, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God [must] love his brother also.” (1 John 4:20-21 NKJV)