Philippians 2:5 (NKJV)
⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

To a large degree, how we think defines who we are. Our attitudes about people and things greatly influence how we behave. To live our best lives possible, we must possess the mind of Christ. This means we need to think the way He thought, at least to the best of our ability. We need to develop the same attitude toward God and man that Jesus demonstrated.

What was the mind of Christ? He had a sacrificial mindset. Paul said that Jesus emptied Himself (Philippians 2:7). The New International Version says that Jesus made Himself nothing. This does not mean that He stopped being God, but He did give up the appearance of God. This is why the King James Version says that He made Himself of no reputation. I like the way The Complete Biblical Library put it:

“Therefore, He divested himself not of the nature nor attributes of deity, but of the prerogatives that belonged to Him. In other words, He emptied Himself of the expression of deity, not the possession of deity.”

How did Jesus do this? Paul said it was by “taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” This refers to the incarnation of Christ. Physically, Jesus took on the same restrictions that all human beings have. He gave up His glorified state in heaven for an earthly abode in a flesh and blood body in the likeness of men. This was a major part of God’s scheme of redemption. Without the incarnation of Christ, there could be no sacrifice for sin. Jesus took on a human body so that we could be sanctified and redeemed by His sacrifice (Hebrews 10:5-10). There has never been a greater sacrifice than this.

We demonstrate the mind of Christ when we show that we are willing to sacrifice for others. Paul began Philippians 2 by saying, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (ver. 3). Why should we be willing to do this? We should because Jesus was, and we should have His mindset. Are you willing to put others before yourselves? Are you willing to sacrifice for the betterment of those around you? This is what Jesus, not only, was willing to do, but what He did. Let us strive to have the mind of Christ.

Jesus also had an obedient mindset. The sacrifice of Christ was produced by love, but not love alone; there was an obedient element to it. Paul said that Jesus was “obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (ver. 8). The Hebrews writer spoke of this when he wrote, “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered.”

We cannot claim to have the mind of Christ if we are not willing to obey God in all things. We cannot be exactly like Christ, or at least we fail to be so because Jesus always did what was pleasing to God (John 8:29). We, on the other hand, fall short from time to time. One thing we can do, however, is possess the same attitude that Jesus had toward His Father. He once said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34). Doing God’s will should be what sustains us in life. Never take any command of God lightly. Every day you should have the purpose of pleasing God. To think like that is to think like Jesus.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things