How to Get to Know “the Mind of Christ”
To have the mind of Christ, however, one must first know that mind. Therefore, the first step in developing spirituality is to get to know Jesus’ way of thinking. But how do you come to know the mind of someone who lived on earth 2,000 years ago? Well, how, for example, did you learn about the historical figures of your country? Likely by reading about them. Similarly, reading a written history of Jesus is an important way to get to know the mind of Christ.
3 This means everlasting life,+ their coming to know you,* the only true God,+ and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.+ (John 17:3).
In Jesus’ case, there are four vivid historical accounts — the Gospels written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Reading these accounts carefully will help you to perceive Jesus’ way of thinking, his depth of feeling, and the motivation behind his actions. When you take time to reflect on what you read about Jesus, you build a picture in your mind of the kind of person he was. Even if you already consider yourself a follower of Christ, such reading and reflection will help you to “go on growing in the undeserved kindness and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
17 You, therefore, beloved ones, having this advance knowledge, be on your guard so that you may not be led astray with them by the error of the lawless people and fall from your own steadfastness.*+ 18 No, but go on growing in the undeserved kindness and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:17-18).
With that in mind, let us examine some passages in the Gospels to see what made Jesus such a spiritual person. Then, ask yourself how you can imitate the pattern set by him.
5 Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus,+ (Philippians 2:5)
21 In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you,+ leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely.+ (1 Peter 2:21)
6 The one who says he remains in union with him is himself under obligation to go on walking just as that one walked.+ (1 John 2:6)
38 And whoever does not accept his torture stake* and follow after me is not worthy of me.+ (Matthew 10:38)
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart,+ and you will find refreshment for yourselves.* (Matthew 11:29)
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake* and keep following me.+ (Matthew 16:24)
34 He now called the crowd to him with his disciples and said to them: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake* and keep following me.+ (Mark 8:34)
23 Then he went on to say to all: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him disown himself+ and pick up his torture stake* day after day and keep following me.+ (Luke 9:23)
27 Whoever does not carry his torture stake* and come after me cannot be my disciple.+ (Luke 14:27)
12 Maintain your conduct fine among the nations,+ so that when they accuse you of being wrongdoers, they may be eyewitnesses of your fine works+ and, as a result, glorify God in the day of his inspection. (1 Peter 2:12)
16 Likewise, let your light shine before men,+ so that they may see your fine works+ and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.+ (Matthew 5:16)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him by his fine conduct demonstrate works performed with a mildness that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)
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Preceding articles:
Looking for True Spirituality 1 Intro
Looking for True Spirituality 2 Not restricted to an elite
Looking for True Spirituality 3 Mind of Christ
Next: Looking for True Spirituality 5 Fruitage of the Spirit
Dutch version of this article / De Nederlandse versie van dit artikel:
Op zoek naar spiritualiteit 4 Zin van Christus leren kennen
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Find also to read:
- Does He exists?
- I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered
- Yahushua, Yehoshua, Yeshua, Jehoshua of Jeshua
- Lord or Yahuwah, Yeshua or Yahushua (Video)
- Jesus and his God
- Election of the Apostle Matthias
- Engaging the enemy
- If You want to start winning the war
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Through the ages many people tried to get the mind or spirit of Jesus.
Augustine is seen crushing a scroll and books under his feet on the floor […] On the buckle to his ornate cloak or bishop’s vestment is an image of Christ […] St. Augustine holds a burning heart in his left hand. It might depict the Sacred Heart of Jesus or Augustine’s own heart in echo of the Scripture passage concerning the Road to Emmaus event, “Did not our hearts burn within us as He talked with us by the way and opened up the Scriptures?” The flames of the burning heart are directed toward Augustine’s head as if impacting his mind as he writes “with the mind of Christ” as Saint Paul bids us. […] At the upper left of the painting is a brilliant, golden glow with beams radiating toward him with the word “Veritas” emblazoned on it signifying God and Jesus who said, “I am the Light of the world; I am the Truth.” – Saint Augustin – Philippe de Champaigne (1602–1674)
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- “Affluenza’ as defense! Wealth as get-out-of-jail-free card.’ 12/23/’13 (thedailyprophet111.wordpress.com)
Well that is going to change when we all put on the mind of Christ. This is a mind that knows everything. Because there is only one God and God is spirit. The spirit of God lives in every human so that a person who has the mind of Christ knows everything about everybody. Not at the same time of course but when they meet each person on at a time. - Jesus Sets us Free (revmartyreed.wordpress.com)
Christians didn’t use the weeks leading up to Christmas— what we call Advent— for shopping and finding bargains, for decorating and parties.
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God “raised up” his Son, sent his Son— conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin— to defeat Satan and set people free from Satan’s tyranny. That’s where Isaiah’s prophecy in the Introit come in. “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout”. - What Does the Birth and Life of Christ Mean Today? (notesalongthepath.com)
Men of power feared even the thought of a man who would become a king appointed by God. Even those who had been expecting a savior king rejected him, for they knew what they did not want. “We don’t want a king of peace. Give us a king who will fight against this injustice!”We have always misunderstood ‘God,’ haven’t we? We’re here, caught up in a literal rat race, complaining every day about what is lacking in our lives and in others’ lack of character and their human foibles. Haven’t we all wondered, “How could our country have fallen so far? How could God allow all the evil in the world?” What is evil to you may be different than what is evil to me, but what is evil to God? (Or Goddess? as the case may be.) I suspect it is anything that keeps us separate from our true design—conscious oneness with our Loving Creator, our Loving Natures, our inner Peacemakers. - Encouagement for the Day (momsfirstscreenn.wordpress.com)
The Lord said, “Confess My Word. My Word says that you have the mind of Christ, and the mind of Christ never forgets.” He started to confess that he had the mind of Christ and that was how his memory remained sharp for the rest of his life. My friend, the Word of God says that you have the mind of Christ. - Seeking Christ (rthibeault2000.wordpress.com)
When you have Christ’s Spirit, you will find hidden manna. Manna, the bread provided to the Israelites during their wandering of the Desert of Sinai is symbolic of the spiritual sustenance provided by the Word of God. This symbolism is even greater when we understand the hidden manna refers to the manna which was placed in the Ark of the Covenant. This Ark was maintained in the Temple in Jerusalem, inside the Holy of Holies. It was found in the holiest part of the holiest part of the Temple of God. - Season of Peace (lifereference.wordpress.com)
Peace comes from relationship with Jesus Christ - The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda John 5-1:15 (danielleboes.wordpress.com)
when we change our thinking and enter into a “Sabbath” consciousness, God becomes the focus of our thinking and all things are possible. Whether you have struggled for 38 years or 38 minutes makes no difference. When we are ready to “renew our minds” to the Christ consciousness we become aware of the perfection that we are and demonstrate it. We have made it to the “pool.” - The Gospel According to MacArthur: Examining the book The Gospel According to Jesus Pt2 (Nicodemus) (standforthefaith.wordpress.com)
Unbelievers do make false professions of faith in Christ, and people who are not truly Christians can be deceived into thinking they are.
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Paul refers to this as “the washing of regeneration, and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5), almost perfectly echoing Jesus’ words in John 3:5: “Unless one is born of water [the washing of regeneration] and the Spirit [and renewing by the Holy Spirit], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. - Happy Birthday and Happy Birthday to the Lord Jesus Christ Aka Christ Jesus (shawneejohnsonministries.wordpress.com)
- A Christmas Story – Day #1 – Isaiah 40:1-11 And Luke 1:26-38 (tomhuff.wordpress.com)
- Messianic Prophecies (frommyheart2u.wordpress.com)
- Mary Did You Know? (devotionsinmotion.wordpress.com)
- An Angel’s Conversation (heartstreamssinglesandmarried.wordpress.com)
- The Events Surrounding the Birth of Christ (eternallysecure.wordpress.com)
- Angels Spoke to Mary and Joseph (ccwckidology.wordpress.com)
- An Angel named Gabriel. (amylwestdavidson.wordpress.com)
- Mary and the Angel Gabriel (ts4jc.wordpress.com)
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Which is the most important?
Jesus was asked twice, by two different men, the same basic question about which is the most important or greatest commandment in the Law. Here is how Jesus answered that question:
#1
“One of the teachers of the law… asked him [Jesus],
‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “ is this: ‘Hear, of Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than THESE.” [Mark 12:28-31, Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18]
#2
…an expert in the law, tested him [Jesus] with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’”
Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these TWO commandments.” [Matthew 22:36-40, Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18]
But in contrast with Jesus, Paul the Pharisee didn’t know the greatest, most important, first commandment according to Jesus. Paul made up his own rule. Paul wrote:
“The entire law is summed up in a SINGLE command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” [Galatians 5:14, Leviticus 19:18]
And again, Paul wrote:
“He who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not covet, and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this ONE RULE: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” [Romans 13:8-10, Leviticus 19:18]
Jesus said it’s TWO commandments, with the greatest, most important, first command to
.1) first, love God with everything you’ve got, and
.2) second, love people.
Paul said no, it ONE commandment- to love people.
This is very similar to The Beatles- “All you need is love. Love is all you need. Love, Love, Love.” (In other words, the second commandment, the love of man, without the love of God. Love as me, myself and I define love to be, and continuously redefined by sinful men.)
In essence, it is also the same principle as what Eve did in the Garden of Eden, forgetting about the Tree of Life, which is the first tree in the middle of the Garden, and instead referring to the second tree as “the tree that is in the middle of the garden.” [Genesis 3:3 & 2:9 2:17, 3:24]
Kind of like the Pharisees with Jesus, who were pushing the false idea that we can consider ONE commandment in the Law, alone in isolation, to be “the greatest commandment in the Law.”
Or like today, false teachers in the Chrislam – Purpose Driven – Seeker Sensitive – Emergent – Liberal – Ecumenical – New Age – world church movement pushing the false idea that the ONE RULE is “Loving God and Neighbor together.”
The Lord God Jesus the Jewish Messiah, Son of Yahweh the Most High God of Israel, said:
“All the Law and the Prophets hang on these TWO commandments.”
Not one. TWO.
Sometimes, Paul was wrong. Jesus is always right. I’m following Jesus.
Here are answers to 2 common objections:
.a) What about the so-called “Golden Rule”?
Jesus spoke the 3 chapters of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, including 7:12. Jesus didn’t make PART of this one verse out of context into “The Golden Rule” or “one rule.” Jesus did not use the term “Golden Rule,” it’s simply a tradition of men. The sentence begins with “So” in the NIV and Amplified Bibles, and “Therefore’ in the NASB and King James Bibles, which ties 7:12 to the previous sentences. So 7:12 cannot stand alone as One Commandment.
.b) What about the so-called “Great Commission”?
Jesus spoke the words recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, including “make disciples of all nations.” Jesus never used the term “Great Commission,” it’s simply a tradition of men. Yes I agree it’s a commandment given by Jesus, it’s not optional, and it applies to us today. We need to carry this out, with our own God-given abilities and talents, using the skills, and circumstances we have. But we don’t need to put words in the mouth of Jesus, we can let Jesus speak for himself, and we can listen to Him – and obey Him.
Evangelism is part of the Second Commandment given by Jesus, to Love people. Evangelism is not the most important commandment, and it isn’t the entire Second Commandment. So if our priorities are “The Great Commission and the Great Commandment,” we have our priorities upside down and confused, and we are not listening to the voice of Jesus. Never mind what Paul said. Let’s listen to the voice of Jesus first, and get our priorities straight.
The people who will protest most loudly against this truth are the modern “Pauls:” traveling evangelists, speakers, writers, abusive absentee mega-church pastors, Crusaders, and self-appointed “apostles” like Paul, who find it “profitable” to “be like Paul” rather than follow Jesus the Jewish Messiah.
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It is true the “Golden rule” is a description given by man. It is a way of calling those laws. It are tow different rules included in one description. I do not think in the writings is indicated that Jesus would have called ‘it’ the ‘Golden rule’, but it is said Jesus wanted us to love our brother and sister in the first place after we have given our greatest love to his Father, the Only One God who we should worship with all our heart.
It is not clear why we would have our priorities upside down and confused, and why we “are not listening to the voice of Jesus”. I may think Christadelphians are clearly listening to the voice of Christ than many other Christians, certainly those who consider Jesus to be the God instead of accepting Jesus his words that he is the son of God and that God is much mightier and higher than him.
Never mind what Paul said.
We always ask people to listen to the words of Christ and to take them serious. So I would think we can not be accused of not wanting or not listening to the voice of Jesus. That we do not want others and ourselves to listen first to Jesus is because the most important person to listen to is his Father, Jehovah, the only One God. We always want to set our priorities straight, and love to see others also putting god in the first place and than Christ Jesus, God the Father His son.
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Yes Jesus is speaking about ‘These’ commandments. In Torah loads of commandments are given. In the Holy Scriptures we can find many guidelines to make our best of life. You can take those guidelines as rules, regulations or laws. when we do not show the love for others we may do a lot of other things, but it will be never enough. Also when we do not love the Only One God we shall not be getting far. Lots of people can do good. You may find very good atheists, Hindus, Islamic, Paganists, Buddhists and other believers who really do a lot of good work, but we may count on it they shall not be able to enter the Kingdom of God when they are not willing to accept the High Position of the Most High divine Creator of the Universe.
A “Great Commission” people may find they have is naturally nothing which was terminated that, not by God the Father, nor by His son. Human beings may talk about a commission they have . It is the task which is given to them, which they themselves feel as a commission to undertake.
Every Christian should follow up the task Jesus has given them to go out to preach. It does not matter how you call it, fulfilling your commission, or witnessing, or working for Christ, or Working for God, or your Godly duty, as long as you Do It.
All who call themselves Christian, should go out into the world and witness in the name of God. They all should have to talk about Christ Jesus, who he was and is, what he has done and what he still shall do. They should proclaim the Good News of his first coming and of his second coming. They should tell others which grace has come over us and what we can expect in the near future.
Looking forward to the return of Christ we should be aware that we should fear any evil works, and always should do what is good, so that we may have praise from the same.
As Christians we should be a subject for Christ Jesus, not only on account of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For on account of this we are told we do have many duties like paying taxes, for they are ministers of God, always giving attention to this very thing. In the many commandments we do have to keep is also respecting and honouring the other whom we have to render their dues: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.
We also are warned that we may not be guilty to others and may not owe anything to no one, except to love one another, for he who loves one another has fulfilled the law. and this part of fulfilling the law is important and should always be in our head. No matter how you want it to call. It is just a name giving by human being and the tittle will be different according the language you speak and the culture you belong to.
What is important is that every Christian should remember that in that Law of love is included that
“You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not kill,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”. And if there is any other commandment, in this word it is summed up, namely, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
When we do love the other we shall not do anything against that person or what could harm that person. Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law is what the apostle Paul tells his disciples; He does not say to them they have to abandon the Laws of God and keep to a law he is giving. He explained the law like Jesus on several occasions explained the Law but also did not go in against the Laws his Father had given to Abraham and the older prophets.
A title or a name is just that by which a person or a thing is known or called by us human beings. How we want to call it God allows us to chose, like He allowed us to give names to stars, plants and animals. Seeming or pretension without reality, we should know that to state or specivy, to give a name to or to mention the name of, does not qualify us to leave away the meaning of it or to ignore what is behind it. That was one of the mane problems Jesus showed the Pharisees had. They might have known very well the letter of the Law but did not see the Spirit of the Law. We also should be very careful always to understand what is behind the letters in the writings and understand the spirit of the writings.
Even when people may have given different names to a situation explained by early prophets, or by the prophet Jesus, or by Jesus his disciples or by Jesus his chosen apostle Paul, what it says “something to give a title or name” so it can be recognised as such, we should get to see what we do have to see and come to understand and do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for us to be roused out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we believed.
Coming closer to the end-times we should become fully aware that it is nut so much the matter how we call things, but how we keep to things God and His son have explained the world. We should come to understand what they were saying and what the value of their words is. Today it becomes more important to get others also to see what is between the lines and to come to see Who God is, what He has done, who His son is and what he has done, and how the night is advanced and the day is at hand. Therefore let us put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light, not going to discuss or quarrel over details, but show the world the major issues where we do have to be careful for. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelries and drinking bouts, not in orgies and debaucheries, not in strife and jealousy, but in love which was shown by Jesus.
” For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, (4) for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. (5) Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. (6) For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing. (7) Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor. (8) Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. (9) For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (10) Love does not harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law. (11) Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed. (12) The night is far gone, and the day is near. Let us therefore throw off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. (13) Let us walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy. (14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.” (Rom 13:3-14 NHEBJE)
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