Peter gives us some very interesting information in 1 Peter 2:21. There Peter says, “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps.” Now, this is not just simply a statement or suggestion, not just sharing some information; this is a plain statement of what God and His Son, Jesus Christ, expects of all who would be His children, Christians. We are to live, walk, talk and act as did Christ during His stay on this earth as one of us. How are we to be, how can we be like Jesus? Paul tells us in Philippians 2:5-8 where he says, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” So, if we want to act like Christ, we must have the attitude of Christ. What was His attitude, what kind of attitude did Jesus have? Well, think about the following, Jesus had a….
Self-Emptying Mind. He was equal with God but, He was willing to lay aside all of His heavenly privileges and majesty to become like man. Jesus emptied Himself of pride, selfishness and conceit to be come a servant.
Serving Mind. Jesus took the form of a bond-servant. His divine sonship united with His human servanthood. As He clearly stated in Matthew 20:28, He did not come to be served but to serve. And, to give His life as a ransom for many.
Sympathetic Mind. He was made in the likeness of man. Why? One reason was so that He could identify with man in all ways. Jesus relates to us because He has walked in our shoes. He has been there, done that, faced that, felt that. He knows exactly how we feel and, therefore, can sympathize with us and for us.
Sacrificial Mind. Jesus, as the scripture says, humbled Himself and fully submitted to God’s will even to the giving of His life for man’s sins. It was His sacrificial mind that led Him to Calvary. He was obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. And, Jesus calls those who would be His disciples to deny self, take up their cross daily and follow Him. (Luke 9:23).
So, if we would truly “follow in His steps” as Peter said, this is how we can and must do it. We must have the “mind” of Christ. We must have that self-emptying, serving, sympathetic and sacrificial mind that He had.
So, where does this leave you today? Are you honestly, truly following Christ by walking in His steps? Are you honestly following the example He left for all of us? If not, you can determine to begin doing it right now, today.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
Self-Emptying Mind. He was equal with God but, He was willing to lay aside all of His heavenly privileges and majesty to become like man. Jesus emptied Himself of pride, selfishness and conceit to be come a servant.
Serving Mind. Jesus took the form of a bond-servant. His divine sonship united with His human servanthood. As He clearly stated in Matthew 20:28, He did not come to be served but to serve. And, to give His life as a ransom for many.
Sympathetic Mind. He was made in the likeness of man. Why? One reason was so that He could identify with man in all ways. Jesus relates to us because He has walked in our shoes. He has been there, done that, faced that, felt that. He knows exactly how we feel and, therefore, can sympathize with us and for us.
Sacrificial Mind. Jesus, as the scripture says, humbled Himself and fully submitted to God’s will even to the giving of His life for man’s sins. It was His sacrificial mind that led Him to Calvary. He was obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross. And, Jesus calls those who would be His disciples to deny self, take up their cross daily and follow Him. (Luke 9:23).
So, if we would truly “follow in His steps” as Peter said, this is how we can and must do it. We must have the “mind” of Christ. We must have that self-emptying, serving, sympathetic and sacrificial mind that He had.
So, where does this leave you today? Are you honestly, truly following Christ by walking in His steps? Are you honestly following the example He left for all of us? If not, you can determine to begin doing it right now, today.
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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