Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5.
What mind are we talking about here?
Lets have a look at the previous few verses to get the context:
Think about what we have in Christ: the encouragement he has brought us, the comfort of his love, our sharing in his Spirit, and the mercy and kindness he has shown us. If you enjoy these blessings, then do what will make my joy complete: Agree with each other, and show your love for each other. Be united in your goals and in the way you think. In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honor others more than yourselves. Don’t be interested only in your own life, but care about the lives of others too. (Phil 2:1-4, ERV)
In your life today, think the way Christ Jesus thought. (Phil.2:5)
God expects those who bear the name of Christ to represent Him in thought, word, and deed. Their thoughts are to be pure and their words and deeds noble and uplifting, drawing those around them nearer to the Savior. For it was Jesus who said
And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” (John 12:32, NIV)
In the life of the true Christian there is nothing of self. Self is dead. There was no selfishness in the life that Christ lived while on this earth. Bearing our nature, He lived a life wholly devoted to the service of others.
“Therefore, be perfect” (Matthew 5:48) is God’s word to us today.
Success in this life, success in gaining the future life, depends upon a faithful, conscientious attention to the little things. Perfection is seen in the least, no less than in the greatest, of the works of God. The hand that hung the worlds in space is the hand that wrought with delicate skill the lilies of the field. And as God is perfect in his sphere, so we are to be perfect in ours. The symmetrical structure of a strong, beautiful character is built up by individual acts of duty. And faithfulness should characterize our life in the least as well as in the greatest of its details. Integrity in little things, the performance of little acts of fidelity and little deeds of kindness, will gladden the path of life; and when our work on earth is ended, it will be found that every one of the little duties faithfully performed, has exerted an influence for good,–an influence that can never perish. {CE 217.2}
And in order that we might obey this word, He sent His only-begotten Son to this earth to live in our behalf a perfect life. We have before us His example, and the strength by which He lived this life is at our disposal. In thought, word, and act Jesus was sinless. Perfection marked all that He did. He points us to the path that He trod, saying, “If any person will come after me, let them deny themselves, and take up their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
We are to copy no human being. There is no human wise enough to be our criterion. We are to look to the man Christ Jesus, who is complete in the perfection of righteousness and holiness. He is the author and finisher of our faith. He is the pattern man. His experience is the measure of the experience that we are to gain. His character is our model. Let us, then, take our minds off the perplexities and the difficulties of this life and fix them on JESUS, that by beholding we may be changed into His likeness.
The Role of the Church in the Community
“Our neighbors are not merely our associates and special friends; they are not simply those who belong to our church, or who think as we do. Our neighbors are the whole human family. Everyone who is the object of God’s love. NO ONE is a little bit less than us than anyone in our modern Churchianity systems and institutions and abusive priestcraft. No value is attached to a mere profession of faith in Christ; only the love which is shown by heart-felt works is counted genuine. Yet it is love alone which in the sight of Heaven makes any right impulse act of value because all right impulses come from Jesus and His Holy Educating Spirit.
The Book of Heaven reveals the saddest question I have ever heard:
“Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)
Can you believe it? This is a question that caused endless dispute. The priests back in the day had no doubt as to the heathen and the Samaritans. These were strangers and enemies to them. Not much different than how many Christians choose today to treat gays or other marginalized struggling souls that are not “one of us.” And if we listen to such people with their “Bible excuses” why its OK to publically villify a particular group of people,you will be sickened. Atleast I hope you would be!
Where should the distinction be made among the people of their own nation and among the different classes of society? Whom should the priest, the rabbi, the elder, regard as neighbor? They spent their lives in polished ostentatious rounds of ceremonies to make themselves “pure.” Contact with the ignorant and careless multitude, they taught, would cause defilement that would require wearisome effort to remove. Were they to regard the so-called “unclean” as neighbors?
This question Christ answered in the parable of the good Samaritan. He showed that our neighbor does not mean merely one of the church or faith to which we belong. It has no reference to race, color, or class distinction. Our neighbor is every person who needs our help. Our neighbor is every soul who is wounded and bruised by the adversary. Our neighbor is everyone who is the property of God. {COL 376.2}
Recently I was struck with a nasty bout of pneumonia in my left lung. I was kind of just rotting away in my apartment getting worse each day. At one point I knew I was getting far too dehydrated but I was too sick to get up and get something to drink. One of my dear Catholic friends decided about this same time that I was too quiet for too long so they checked up on me and gave me a big jug of orange juice. Thats all it took friends. Is for someone to care enough to see how I was doing and that was the moment I started to recover.
We are to have an intense interest in Christ Jesus, for He is our Savior. He came to this world to be tempted in all points as we are, to prove to the universe that in this world of sin human beings can live lives that God will approve. Let us seek for the blessings that JESUS has placed within our reach, that we may impart to others the special blessings by which we are saved. We will reap what we sow in this life my friends. And in Christ we may be made capable of receiving more and still more of His grace, and that we may be filled with a living, active, growing faith—a faith that believes the promise
“Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20).
If others look at you and how you live your life and as a result they too believe the promise, well thats mission accomplished. You will hear the melodious words of Christ Himself:
‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Mat 25:23, ESV)