Philippians 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Multiple times in his letter to the Philippians, Paul appeals to the church there to be of one mind, to be likeminded, to have the same mind, to stand fast in one spirit. But what is this mind that he’s asking them to have? It is a mind of unity, a mind of agreement, of moving in the same direction, being in one accord. But there is more to it than simple personal agreement, and it doesn’t mean unity only based on anything on which they would agree. He explains this further in chapter 2. What he is asking them to have is the mind of Christ.

This kind of mind avoids strife and pride. This mind is lowly and esteems others better than oneself. This mind was exemplified in Christ, who gave up the glory and majesty of heaven, who bowed in lowliness, who took on something unworthy for Him to carry, and He did it with an attitude of service and selflessness that no one else could ever muster. It is a mind of humility, an obedient mind, and a sacrificial mind. This mind led Him to take on the form of a servant. It compelled Him to do as the Father had commanded. And the result was that He willingly gave His life as a sacrifice in the place of sinful man.

As Jesus is our example in all areas of life, so He is the example of the mind we are to have, this one mind of the body of Christ under Him as the head. But what does that look like for us? It looks like humbling ourselves to have the mind of a servant—to serve the Lord and those around us without that prideful heart that seeks to get our way no matter what it takes. It is to have that obedient mind that does as God has commanded us to and submits our will to His. It is being a living sacrifice, dying to self so that Christ’s purposes are fulfilled in and through us.

May we allow this mind to be in us, as well, exchanging our own ideas, our own pride, and our own desires in order to let this mind direct how we live and the choices we make. It’s a conscious choice to take on the form of a servant, to surrender ourselves in obedience, to make the sacrifice of our life for His life in us. Then we’ll be able to shine as lights in a dark world instead of blending into the darkness around us, helping others to come to see and know Christ for themselves.