A Believer’s Mindset – Philippians 2:1-13

More than at any time in recent history, having a believer’s mindset is more important than ever – and that mindset for Christians, we are reminded by Paul, is to be that of our Lord Jesus. It is his example and his approach to life that we are not only to acknowledge but seek to emulate.

In this passage from Philippians, Paul encouraged the people in the community to ever keep before them what was in the mind of Jesus Christ. And he said this because he knew how easy it would be to abandon their new faith and seek to live in the old ways that had been their life before.  And as they were surrounded by a society of people who chose not to believe, their example to one another and to the world around was critical.

But what is significant here is that the mindset of these believers was not to be one of arrogance or conceit or ambition – first of all with each other and then with those around them in the society. If our attitudes and actions show the world nothing different from what they know, they will see no reason to even consider following Jesus. They will not find a reason to even begin to consider the path and the approach to life that Jesus embodied and taught. And Paul reminded them of the extent of Christ’s humility and commitment to them that led him to take path the Father placed before him and remained obedient even to the point of surrendering this present life.

Paul is pleading with the people to recognize that they are now the followers of Jesus and as such, they are to reveal that they are followers in more than just simple words.  And so he begins: If there is any encouragement in Christ.  In other words, does knowing Christ bring you hope and peace in your life. Do you feel your life has purpose and meaning because you know Christ. Then he says: Do you have any consolation from love. In other words, does knowing the love of God for you as revealed through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus bring you peace and hope. Is there a deeper sense of purpose and meaning to your life? And then he says: Is there any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy? In other words, are you sharing with one another what the Spirit of God is giving to you and is that sharing done with compassion and sympathy? Are you speaking to one another with kindness and gentleness?

If this indeed is the case, then make my joy complete, says Paul. Be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  He emphasizes this because he knows how the human mind works. He knows that people will be tempted to do things to and with one another out of selfish ambition or conceit.  He urges the believers to humbly regard one another in such a way as to not fall into the trap of seeing one or another as more important and more worthy of being heard.  If we are focused on the interests or needs of others, we will see and hear them and not be caught up with satisfying our own interests and needs to the exclusion of others.

This leads Paul to proclaim what he saw as the mind of Jesus.  This was God and yet in his ministry he did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited.  He did not seek for fame or recognition of his gifts and abilities. In fact, he taught the importance of servanthood, the importance of not being at the head of the table, the importance of not being the most important person in the room.

The word is slave is used as Paul wants to emphasize the servant quality of Jesus. He was one who sought not for what others could do for him, but what he could do for others. And through his ministry, people did do things for Jesus. Many saw his needs and responded.

Jesus’ humility led to the cross – a sacrifice that he prayed about and still accepted knowing how important that sacrifice would be to the lives of all who would follow in faith.

I have often said to those I have ministered to over the years that my place in any community of faith is that of a teacher not a ruler. My place is not to lead the community but to advise, encourage and guide the faith and life of that community.  And yet I am a believer same as any of you.

Following the message of Paul is something that is critical for all of us. If we find any encouragement in our relationship with Christ, any consolation from the love of God in Christ and any compassion and sympathy from knowing and listening to and for the Spirit of God, then may we make not only Paul’s joy but also God’s joy complete by listening carefully to one another, recognizing the needs of one another, paying attention to what each other’s interests are and so revealing to one another that no one of us is more important to the life, witness and ministry of this congregation.

May we consciously be supportive of one another allowing each of us to feel fully engaged in the life of this community of faith and may be mindful of the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual state of one another and seek as much as possible to bring wholeness into all our relationships with one another in community and beyond.

As the old hymn declares:

May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day

Jesus’ love and power controlling all I do or say.

AMEN