The Mind of Christ

In my experience as a Christian, I have often heard the Scripture quoted, "We have the mind of Christ," and unfortunately, sometimes that was interpreted as though it read, "What I think is the way Jesus would think." This statement was then used as the compelling reason to require cooperation, obedience, or specifically for women and children, "submission."

The meaning of this verse is clearer in its context and in a modern translation: "Isaiah's question, 'Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?' has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit." (I Corinthians 2:16 MSG, emphasis mine) To have "the mind of Christ" is to make God's priorities our own and to seek the fulfillment of His purposes. "Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done."

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus . . . " Does that sound like one person making demands of another to conform to his/her wishes? Does that seem to prescribe a hierarchy of importance and value? The mind of Christ is expressed in humility and the heart of a servant: "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8 NLT)

Charles Sheldon, the Topeka pastor who wrote "In His Steps" over a hundred years ago, challenged his congregation to follow Jesus as a moral example. The resurgence in the 90's of "W.W.J.D." led many to give thoughtful consideration to Christian behavior—a very good thing—but it is a mistake to think that clear direction will come with trying to figure out what He would do if He were here in the twenty-first century. Why should we not just get right to the heart of the matter: What is Jesus saying to me and through me now? How is Jesus in me wanting to act?

Seeking the mind of Christ for oneself does not imply that there will be no corporate guidelines for Christian behavior. Families have rules; churches and other organizations have regulations. But to claim the authority of Jesus Christ over others without having His attitude is presumptuous, inconsiderate, and dangerous.

Marjorie

You might like to read some further thoughts on "hierarchy", posted in my "Finding the Faith Way" blog. Click here.

Scripture marked MSG is taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotation marked NLT is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.