Being The Church 9

Philippians 2

The need of these Philippian Christians to be more sympathetic, supportive and caring of each other is met by having the same ‘mind’ – that is motivation, attitude and mindset – as Christ. If this happens the change will be as follows (v2-4):

§ you will have the same mind and same love as Christ – and therefore with each other

§ you will be in full agreement with Christ – and therefore with each other

§ you will be of one mind – that is, you will have a common goal which is to maximise the glory of Christ see through your lives together

§ rivalry and competitiveness will evaporate – you will want everyone else to experience more of Christ’s help and blessing

§ conceit will bend away from self-interest to the needs of others

§ humility will grow, so you consider others more significant than yourself – others will count more in your thinking so you think about what you can do for them, rather than what you want for yourself.

It doesn’t require much thought to see the direct connection between this manner of living and the way that Jesus lived. John also pointed this out when he wrote to the churches:

By this we may be sure that we are in him: Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk (live) in the same way Jesus walked (lived).1 John 2.5,6.

So, let’s get this really clear:

1. Paul is concerned about the quality of the relationships between the Philippian Christians – there seems to be some rivalry, self-centredness and lack of sympathy among them.

2. He focuses on this need by drawing their attention back to Jesus and asking them whether the quality of love Jesus showed for them is being reflected in their own relationships.

3. Paul says that what is needed is the mindset – the attitude and motivation of Christ – if each of them is going to have the capacity to give and receive the love of Christ.

The mind of Christ

So Paul explains the mind – the attitude and mindset – of Christ. We are to have the same attitude of Christ so we need to know what that attitude is.

First of all, he says that this attitude is ‘yours’ – it is ours in Christ Jesus. When we gave in and surrendered our self-centred living, crucifying it with Christ – and witnessing to that through baptism – we got a knew mindset – a new attitude, because we got the mind of Christ. New birth is not merely words you say. New birth is what it says – a new spiritual life being brought to existence in your. Your inner being is no longer the same and never can be the same again. The Spirit of God has made you alive in Christ. He has created a spirit in you – where previously you were spiritually dead – and the Spirit of Christ has come to indwell your spirit. For your part you now abide – that is, live restfully and dependently – in Christ. This affects your thinking as well as your motivations and actions.

Rom 8.5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

So, here is the point: in Christ a person has a new attitude and thinking. We must depend on Christ so that this attitude and thinking dominates us – not the old the old self-centred ones.

Here is the attitude and thinking of Christ:

He was in the form of God and equal with God.

God is spirit, not flesh. Now we know that the Son of God at a point in time (2,000 years ago) took up flesh – but prior to that he was pure spirit, eternal, uncreated, self-existing. The Son of God was in the ‘form’ or ‘substance’ of God, because he IS God. He shares the same nature as God the Father and the Spirit. He is and never has been inferior to God. There is one God in three persons. And Jesus Christ is the Son. God’s equal. GOD.

You need to have some of that attitude! Obviously you are NOT God. However, you are in relationship with God through Jesus and should share in the confidence he has in his position.

He did not consider his equality with God something to be grasped at all costs.

It is not that Christ did not highly value his relationship in the Godhead! But this was not something that he felt defensive about. No one could challenge him over his equality with God. No one could snatch it from him so he did not feel the need to grasp onto it’s privileges at all costs. He was strong in his own divine identity – so strong that he was not concerned that to lay aside its rights and privileges in anyway robbed him of his identity as the Son. No one gave him his God nature, so no one could take it away from him. He could freely ‘step down’ from his rights as God without anxiety.

You need to have that attitude, too – that your sonship in Christ is secure – so secure that you do not need to demand your rights to retain your sense of sonship. Your identity as a son or daughter of God is not eroded when you take a low place. This is not a competition.