When Christ Jesus is living in us by our faith in His Name which saves us, there is no more room for the parasites of sin to dwell which have infested our hearts and minds. Christ Jesus in us is The Light of God's Love shining It's magnificent Light into every nook and cranny, cleaning out the dark thoughts, the nasty secrets and the deceitful intents.
Christ in us is The Strength of God in us, for He is God's Mighty Right Arm of Righteousness, prepared from the foundations of this earth long before there were any people living on it. In His Strength we are made strong in Him.
Christ in us The Love of God in action within our hearts and minds. 1 Corinthians 2:16 tells the believers that we have "the mind of Christ". What does that mean? It means we are to no longer think, strategize, like we used to think. In this world, the phrase most often asked when offered a "deal" is, 'What's in it for me?' But to have the mind of Christ is to ask, 'How will this glorify God?'
To have the mind of Christ is to meditate, read and consider, ponder the things which honor God the most. Philippians 4:8 gives us a head start on what these things should be.
To have the mind of Christ is to put God's needs first, others second and ourselves last. I read a book when I was a teenager titled, I Am Third, in which the coach has a sign on the wall which reads: JOY: Jesus First/Others Second/Yourself Last.
To have the mind of Christ is to obediently surrender ourselves to His will. Though we may struggle with the thought of full surrender, we do not bleed when we pray, as Christ did in the garden before His arrest; for He knew what He was about to go through before He could come out on the other side in newness of life. Before He could conquer death and the grave, He had to conquer sin and hell ... in the courtroom and on the cross. John 17-19; Luke 22:39-42.
To have the mind of Christ is to be renewed daily, having spent quality time with our heavenly Father, as He did. Every day we see that He prayed with His Father, He spoke with Him as an honorable son may speak with his earthly father: lovingly, sweetly and gently. Not once did Christ Jesus lose His temper with His Father. Never did Jesus speak against His Father in heaven. Not only was this not His nature, it was just impossible. For Christ Jesus is THE WORD OF GOD in the flesh: John 1:1-3, 14.
To have the mind of Christ is to think about how we can meet the needs of this world in which we live in such a way as to glorify God as we do so. While the needs are great, the works to do the work are not always able to meet the demand. But we can pray that God will send someone who can. Because of my limited strength and mobility, I am unable to travel the way I would love to to meet and strengthen God's people in the countries/cities/towns in which they live. But I can pray. And I can pray to make a difference.
Right now someone I know is spreading the gospel message in his own country. This would not have been possible without prayer, earnestly seeking God and asking Him to pour out a blessing upon this nation. Asking God to send more dreams and visions about the gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Asking God to raise up and enable people who know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, to fill their hands with Bibles in every language and dialect, that All would come to saving grace. Asking God to meet the needs inside the prisons, to shine His Light into the darkest recesses of men's minds and hearts with the gospel message. To raise up mighty warriors in His Name in this world and strengthen them in His Word, His Love and His Holy Spirit.
And God is.
This is the mind of Christ in the believer who is in Christ.
THE ROCK WON'T MOVE - Vertical Worship
WITHHOLDING NOTHING - William McDowell
AT THE CROSS - Chris Tomlin
