Let This Mind Be in You

In order for us to remain in Christ, we must have the same mind as Jesus did.

1 Peter 4:1-2

1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

The scripture tells us to take on the same mind because it was Jesus’ mind of humility, submission and willingness to suffer that made Him holy and blameless. He only did what the Father said do and He never took the opportunity to sin. It is tempting and sometimes seems easier to take advantage of our freedom in Christ by stepping off the route of holiness. In fact, it is a sacrifice to deny ourselves of the opportunity but this is why Peter warned us, “He who suffers in the flesh has ceased from sin”. The life of Christ will include suffering, even if that suffering simply means denying yourself the satisfaction of defending your position when the Holy Ghost is telling you to hold your peace. It may mean forsaking the idea to take on a second job in order to pay bills when the Lord has told you to trust that He will provide so that you can be free for ministry.

Jesus’ life in Christ included being dragged from judgment hall to judgment hall enduring false accusations. His life in Christ housed standing before Pilate as a common criminal when He had done nothing wrong. Jesus even had to endure the suffering of the cross for our transgressions. We, too, must suffer in the flesh that someone else will have the opportunity to receive Christ. This is what God the Father defines as true ministry and is the only means by which He works through us. If we live a life of selfishness and disobedience, God will not use us in ministry. Christ’s life calls for suffering but it also houses the chance to minister. Again looking to Jesus as our example, He raised people from the dead, walked on the water, and preached the gospel to hundreds all because He remained in Christ. The Father trusted that Jesus would abide in the life of Christ until the end. You may wonder why I keep stressing, “Jesus’ life in Christ,” because often we equate Christ with the man Jesus. This is rightfully so since Jesus always abided in Christ and therefore can be equated with that life. However, Christ is not capped off with the man Jesus. He is the first begotten son among many but Jesus was occupied by the life of Christ. Christ was before the birth of Jesus and will continue until the end of time.

St. John 1:1-4

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2. The same was in the beginning with God.

3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Christ is a life in and of itself. It is the only life God sanctions. Christ comes with His own experiences, relationships, blessings and trials. If we consider the route in Christ versus that outside of Christ, it is one that is totally different from anything we encountered before coming to God. Jesus was used by the Father because He never stepped outside of the life of Christ, which is also why He is synonymous with Christ. It seems far-fetched to some because we have walked contrary to who we really are for so long, but it was God’s intent for us to be synonymous with Christ from the moment He filled us with His Spirit. The Father wants to use us just as He did Jesus and Jesus Himself said that we would do greater works than He, but we must come by the same means. It grieves my spirit that some have been partakers of this life and deny it. Some have looked into the cup of Christ and decided that they will not follow His way.

St. John 3:19-20

19. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

Sadly, these people believe that they will somehow carve out another way to God but they will not. It does not matter if these may seem to prosper while living outside of Christ. Even now there are those who are wicked and live unto themselves and the devil. They too seem to prosper more and more, while some of us who live holy everyday often struggle financially, may have sick relatives and may seem to be the outcast on our jobs, in our schools and amongst our families. In the eyes of the world, they are winning and we are the losers but the scripture says otherwise.

Galatians 6:7-9

7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

There is nothing that can substitute Christ, not in this world or in the world to come. Everything the wicked sees as prosperous, the Bible says is foolishness in the sight of the Lord. IF WE HAVE NOT DENIED OURSELVES WE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. Until we have ceased from sin, we have not lived in Christ and will not make it to the Father. Jesus walked alone with the exception of twelve men; save the son of perdition. He was not what the world would define as prosperous but He is sitting at the right hand of the Father even now. Sometimes this route calls for situations that we would not otherwise face and we will have to make sacrifices but it is still the only path that will end with God and there are no exceptions.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

The enemy and mankind have worked hard to create an overabundance of ways to get to God. Some of these ways may have good moral values, prestige and wealth beyond reason but Christ is the only life the Father recognizes so we must come by way of that life which was from the beginning. God has richly blessed us in this ministry by giving us a pure word and leaders who preach Christ and nothing else. This keeps us in the boundaries of the faith. If we walk after the Word of God we have been made partakers of, we will always thrive in God. The Father has delivered us from the paths of death and given us new life. Apostle Paul preached the dispensation of Christ through his life and thereby taught us that we too are partakers of that life called Christ. This is an eternal life and we have only to remain in that life which was before time. Take a look at the following scriptures below that helps to substantiate this lesson. In your spare time, take the time to read these scriptures.

Base Scriptures:

St. John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1 Peter 4:1-2

1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

2. That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Supporting Scriptures:

St. John 1:1-4

1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2. The same was in the beginning with God.

3. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Proverbs 14:12-13

12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

13 Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

Galatians 6:7-9

7. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Reference Scriptures:

St. John 15:1-2

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

1 John 1:1

That which was from the beginning , which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

Colossians 1:25

wherefore I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

Matthew 7:13

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

St. John 14:12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Philippians 2:1-4

1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,

2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Be Blessed. Apostle Michael Thomas