Do you have “the mind of Christ”? It has everything to do with surrendering rights. Total sacrifice of self is the most important principle for a Christian to apply and the most difficult to accomplish. Galatians 5:24 declares, “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” This is most difficult to accomplish, yet it must be done.

Long before the apostle Paul wrote his letters to the churches, the Lord Himself said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) The apostle tells us in his letter to the believers at Philippi to have the mind of Christ. So, we do have an active part in gaining that mindset. Romans 12:2 reads, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Paul refers to that renewing process as “washing of water by the word” in Ephesians 5:26. Then, in Philippians, he reveals the critical key to gaining the mind of Christ: denying self. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” (v. 2:5) What was the character of His mind? He surrendered His rights. First, He gave up His reputation and became a servant. Second, He gave up His glory and humbled Himself. Third, He gave up His life and became totally obedient. In short, Jesus Christ sacrificed His rights to benefit us. We are called to do the same to benefit others. We are commanded to have the very same mindset as Christ. Missionary Jim Eliot wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Are we better than Christ? Do we deceive ourselves into thinking we can serve God on more selfish terms than the Lord Himself? When we are instructed to follow Jesus’ example, we must pay attention, and obey.

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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