"If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. . . . Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, . . ." Philippians 2: 1-2, 5
The Philippians’ Letter was written to the Christians living in the city of Philippi as a form of encouragement. This passage conveyed the importance of having the same mind that Jesus had, which expressed itself in love, compassion, sympathy, and in sharing the Spirit. The followers there were to live in unity, being of one accord.
It seems easy to read in our Bibles about how we should have the mind of Jesus Christ, but very challenging, to say the least, to express this and then live that out in our modern-cynical society. There are so many strong forces, systems, and barriers around us every day, which makes even attempting to live this way, difficult at best. No matter how long we have been on our spiritual pilgrimage and taking part in our spiritual practices trying to have the mind of Jesus can at times
be overwhelming.
However, seeking to have a mind of Jesus, that is one of love, compassion, sympathy, and being led by the Spirit shouldn’t be thought of as an impossible task. From my own experience and from the writings of many spiritual authors, being faithful is far more important than being successful. Once we acknowledge that any results of spiritual practices belong to God and not to us that might help us to better understand our role as a disciple of Jesus. If we are faithful to our calling of striving to have the mind of Christ Jesus we have done our part, and what happens after that and around us is in God’s hands. Blessings on your spiritual journey as you seek to have the mind of Jesus! Vernon T.
Prayer: God of love, may your Holy Spirit give me the courage to open my mind and soul so that it can be the same as Christ Jesus, and may this allow me to share your love with those I meet today! Amen.
Copyright © 2016 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
The Philippians’ Letter was written to the Christians living in the city of Philippi as a form of encouragement. This passage conveyed the importance of having the same mind that Jesus had, which expressed itself in love, compassion, sympathy, and in sharing the Spirit. The followers there were to live in unity, being of one accord.
It seems easy to read in our Bibles about how we should have the mind of Jesus Christ, but very challenging, to say the least, to express this and then live that out in our modern-cynical society. There are so many strong forces, systems, and barriers around us every day, which makes even attempting to live this way, difficult at best. No matter how long we have been on our spiritual pilgrimage and taking part in our spiritual practices trying to have the mind of Jesus can at times
be overwhelming.
However, seeking to have a mind of Jesus, that is one of love, compassion, sympathy, and being led by the Spirit shouldn’t be thought of as an impossible task. From my own experience and from the writings of many spiritual authors, being faithful is far more important than being successful. Once we acknowledge that any results of spiritual practices belong to God and not to us that might help us to better understand our role as a disciple of Jesus. If we are faithful to our calling of striving to have the mind of Christ Jesus we have done our part, and what happens after that and around us is in God’s hands. Blessings on your spiritual journey as you seek to have the mind of Jesus! Vernon T.
Prayer: God of love, may your Holy Spirit give me the courage to open my mind and soul so that it can be the same as Christ Jesus, and may this allow me to share your love with those I meet today! Amen.
Copyright © 2016 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved
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