stephen R Harrison

“Like-Minded”

“In your relationships with one another, 

have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

-Philippians 2:5

Paul wrote Philippians in a Roman prison for a few reasons. One reason was to thank the believers in Philippi for their financial support of his ministry and in his suffering. They were generous to him during a difficult time. He also wanted to express his deep love and joy for them. While they were a great example of a healthy and faithful church, he desired they would grow in their unity and truth of the gospel ministry. They would soon face persecution and suffering and needed to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2). This included doing “nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” and “in humility valuing others above yourself” while “not looking to your own interests but to the interests of others” (vv. 3-4). How would they accomplish this, especially under persecution? Those are hard enough tasks without it.

Christ was their example, and they (like us) were to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (v. 5). Paul began with four rhetorical questions in verse 1. When I’ve read these in church, I’ve had believers respond to each one with, “And there is” (when you read them, try responding this way). These qualities must be present in the believer’s lives and lived out in the church. Paul asks, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete” by the instructions in verses 2-4. One of the ways you know your church (and you) has the same mindset as Christ Jesus is if you can answer “I do/We do” to these questions. 

To be likeminded refers to the way we think. The root quality needed for this is humility. Our example is Jesus, who “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (v. 6). We must serve others and not put ourselves first if we are to have the mind of Christ. He also “humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross” (v. 8). Jesus’ perfect example of humility bought our salvation from sin. The most humble, Jesus, laid down his life for us on the cross. He didn’t exalt himself, but God did (v. 9). His selfless act of death led to our redemption.

Pride is the enemy of having the mind of Christ. Paul mentions two forms of it here. First, “selfish ambition’ is not the example Jesus gave and will kill the church’s unity. Other believers are not enemies or rivals. They are brothers and sisters in Christ. Infighting among the church destroys our oneness and witness to the world. Another form of pride is “vain conceit”. This is thinking we are superior to others. How do we combat these and ensure we have the mind of Christ? We must practice humility, love, service, generosity, and looking to the interests of others. This is the mindset Jesus had toward us and we should submit to it and reflect it to others, especially the church.

Questions: 

Is there pride instead of humility present in your life? 

Are you actively serving and generous to brothers and sisters in the faith?

Prayer:

Jesus, during this Lenten season, help me grow and have your mindset in all areas. Help me see my pride, selfishness, and vain conceit. Please show me how to be humble, generous, and serving like you. Keep our churches free from anything that doesn’t resemble your humility and kindness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Read: 

Philippians 2:1-11

Action Step:

Think of one way you can be like-minded with your local church. Perhaps it is serving in a ministry or giving to vision. If you’ve had thoughts of selfishness or disunity, one of the best ways to correct them is to serve and give. Pray God will help you join yourself more to your local church and learn to serve and give with them in one mind towards fulfilling the Great Commission and Great Commandments. Take a practical step towards serving and sharing today.