“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:4-5)
In many of the New Testament letters, we find ways that we, as believers, ought to behave. Philippians is one of those letters in which Paul exhorts us to stand firm in one spirit, do nothing out of rivalry, look to the interests of others, do things without grumbling—the list goes on.
Suffice it to say that none of us are coming to the Word for a list of things we’re good at. When I read these passages, I can often close my Bible feeling overwhelmed or even discouraged—I know how weak my flesh is, how often I’ll start my day with the best of intentions, knowing by the end of it my best-laid plans to follow the Word have crumbled.
But Paul doesn’t leave us to our own devices to live in a manner worthy of Christ, and neither does Christ himself.
Philippians 2:5 reminds us that we have the mind of Christ. It is ours in Christ. Not ours to be earned, or ours to be given when we’ve proven ourselves worthy, or ours when we manage to string together a week of pretty good behavior… it’s ours now. In fact, it’s the very reason we have any hope of being the light of Christ through our actions at all.
Every time we even feel the desire to live our lives in step with the Spirit, we’re feeling the mind of Christ at work renewing our minds of flesh, turning over new thoughts, new hopes, and new motivations every day. There’s a reason the Word reveals our weaknesses—so we can find our very lives in Christ.
This week, let Christ reveal our need for him—and then let him provide his very heart for you.