"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Phil. 2:5.
THE mind of Christ is described in verses 7 and 8. It was an unselfish mind, one from which all thoughts of self-serving were excluded. "He humbled Himself. . . . Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him." There is the perfect example. The life and work of Christ show us that the path leading to the heights of true success runs through the valley of humiliation.
Peter admonishes us to be clothed with humility; and what a fitting garb for sinful, erring mortals to wear! Through pride Satan was transformed from the "anointed cherub that covereth," "perfect" in his ways, to a murderer, a liar, and the father of it. Eze. 28:14, 15; John 8:44. The desire to exalt himself was his ruin; for he said, "I will be like the Most High." Isa. 14:14.
Adam and Eve fell because of a desire to become like God in their own way, in other words, through exalting self. Gen. 3:1-6. They followed Satan's example, and became sinners.
As Christians we are to follow Christ; but "the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God;" for "the carnal mind is enmity against God." 1 Cor. 2:14; Rom. 8:7.
It is clear, then, that the mind of Christ, which we are exhorted to have, is a new mind; and it is not something that we get by our own efforts, but is the free gift of God. 2 Tim. 1:7. When received, it enables us to think the thoughts of God, unselfish, pure, and noble. Every thought is brought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5. He lives in us, and works "both to will [think] and to do [express His thoughts in word and action] of His good pleasure." Gal. 2:20; Phil. 2:13.
This is God's way of exalting man; for when our thoughts are the thoughts of God, then our ways will be His ways, and they will be as far superior to the old thoughts and ways as the heavens are higher than the earth. Isa. 55:7-9.
This is the true intellectual culture. The sound mind resists the specious deceptions of Satan, and delights in meditating upon the grand and lofty truths of nature and revelation.
Then let us humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt us in His own good time and way, always remembering the promise, "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly." Ps. 84:11.
GEO. M. BROWN.
Humboldt, Neb.