Uncommen: In The Likeness Of MenSample

Like-Minded

What I love about this part of scripture is it gives us a sampling of what it is like being “of the same mind” of Christ toward others. Having affection and sympathy toward others in today’s culture seems almost impossible without “any participation in the Spirit.” With news and social media, it seems all too easy to ridicule and hate someone. We no longer resist the temptation; it's normal life. If we don't type it, we think it.

Think of our world if we passed our thoughts, speech and social posts through the filter of mind of Christ. A world without selfishness, ambition or conceit but serving each other with humility and thinking of others more significant than yourself. That sounds like such a strange concept that our minds can’t wrap itself around it. You may say, “After all, I’m only human, and my feelings have been hurt by people so often, I now look out for myself first, and foremost.” 

I understand that mindset. But that is not the mind of Christ. That is the mind of Man and we should not want any part of that thinking. As a child, I grew up thinking loving someone should come naturally and be easy to do. As an adult, I now know loving someone may be one of the hardest things to accomplish on a consistent basis. That is why the older I get, the more impressive John 3:16 is to me. For God so LOVED THE WORLD, that He gave his only begotten son… Some days it’s all I can do to get out a kind word to someone who I think has done me wrong. But that is just how Christ wants us to treat each other.

When was the last time you extended Grace and Mercy to someone who you thought may not deserve it? That is precisely what God did for us. We didn't deserve His love in the slightest, yet he didn't hesitate to send His son for us. Romans 5:8 tells us, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”.

Uncommen Questions:

• Do you think you have the mind of Christ toward others? 
• Do you treat others like you’d like to be treated? 
• Do you treat them well even when they don’t treat you well?

Scripture References:  Philippians 2: 1-3, Luke 6:32-33, Romans 5: 6-8