Are You Out of YOUR mind?

If so, join the club!  Oh, and it’s okay as long as it’s being replaced with the mind of Christ!  In Philippians 2:5 it says “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”  As I study, I see that this book is a letter from Paul to the believers at Philippi.  The meaning of verse 5 comes to light in verses 1-4  “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.” (NKJV)

I would definitely be “out of MY mind” if I had this one all the time.  The mind of Christ is all about complete humbleness, unselfish actions,  and putting others first 100% of the time.  It is a mind of complete love.  If I have it then according to the scripture, I’ll be able to give comfort, give and receive love, have unity with my fellow believers, and have affection and mercy towards others.  This is life changing stuff for those who practice what Paul preaches, but why should I be out of MY mind and in to His?  I keep trying in MY own mind to see this from  MY perspective and to gain insight into what is in this for ME, but HIS SPIRIT keeps whispering to me “it’s because HE IS GOD and it’s not about you at all!”   It’s about bearing His light to the World and bringing others to Him and we can’t do that with our “selfish” minds.  

Paul gives us some more good advice in verses 14 and 15, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.  So not only am I supposed to be out of my mind, but I’m also supposed to be happy about it!  How is this possible? The Holy Spirit.  So what is the difference between the Holy Spirit and the “mind of Christ”.  The Holy Spirit has the mind of Christ because He is Christ in spirit form.  So, if we listen to Him and obey His prodding in our lives, we will be able to “live out” His calling in our lives.  As we learn through God’s Word what the character of Christ’s mind is, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to renew and change our minds to be like His.  Just remember though, it’s a process that takes daily submission.  Do not be discouraged and remember that it is grace that saved us and it is grace that will take us on this journey that ends only when we see his face in heaven one day. 

Click here to read a beautiful devotional on the Mind of Christ by David Wilkerson