CHANGES IN OUR MINDSET ARE REQUIRED WHEN WE FOLLOW THE LORD

BIBLE PASSAGE:
In your relationships with one another, 
have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 2:5)

MEDITATION:
God’s Word gives Christians some specific instructions 
regarding our relationships with each other.
We are told to develop a mindset similar to that of Christ Jesus.
That means we need to learn more about His mindset.

Even though He was on a par with God, He did not 
use His position to increase His stature among men.
Instead, He assumed the identity of a servant, which meant 
lowering Himself from a status of being served, to one of serving others. 
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something 
to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking 
the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:6-7)

Becoming like a creation instead of the Creator was a quantum leap for Him.
Pause and think for a moment about all that He gave up in order to change.
An unsoiled, omnipotent Lord chose to walk in a soiled world among men.
Imagine how much more ‘dirty’ the world was in His eyes.

He also was completely humble and sincerely obedient.
Jesus had all the credentials for being arrogant, but He was not!
But as we look around us, we see many with far less credentials 
than the Lord who have chosen a path of arrogance.
If Jesus was humble and obedient, 
then we are expected to be the same, if we have His mindset.

We should also have a willingness to allow God 
to use us in whatever way He chooses for His purposes.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my 
presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your 
salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will 
and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13)

We are to avoid becoming constant complainers with a penchant 
for arguing with others, if we expect to develop a purity in our lives.
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become 
blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and 
crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” 
(Philippians 2:14-15)

When we get caught up in complaining and arguing,
we are no different than others in the world.
But, when we choose to have a rosier outlook on life, 
it sets us apart from the mainstream of society 
and creates a curiosity in others about why we are different.
And why wouldn’t we have a more positive attitude 
when we realize we are children of the King?

ACTION:
There are many more traits and characteristics of the Lord that we should 
emulate, but for starters, we should begin with becoming humble, having 
a servant attitude, striving to be more obedient to the commands from God, 
have a willingness to be used by God, and developing a more positive attitude 
out of an appreciation for how we have been blessed by the Lord.

If we want to complain about things and other people, 
we can find an abundance of opportunities.
But if we want to have a positive influence and create an interest in others 
about the One we worship, then we need to look past the negatives around 
us and embrace the good things.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, my desire is to follow Your instructions and develop 
a mindset that is more like the one of Jesus. It is not an easy task in the 
world I live in, but thankfully You have given me the Holy Spirit to help 
the seemingly impossible become achievable. Help me to focus more on 
the positive influences I can have on others and less on the negativism I 
see in the world around me.”

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