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"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5). Written by Bill Bradford
As a human, the mind of Christ is perhaps the greatest thing we can acquire. It doesn't come easily.
The mind of Christ was demonstrated openly in the life of Jesus Christ when he was a human. His manner was the polar opposite to that of everyone else of the day, especially the religionists and ruling people. The manifestation of this kind of mind came at a great price to Jesus the Christ. He "made Himself of no reputation, and took on the form of a bondservant, coming as a human." (Philippians 2:5-7) He humbled Himself, Paul says. Nobody made Him do it. However, he submitted Himself to the Father's will completely, even dying a humiliating and excruciating death, thereby "consecrating a new way through .... His flesh" (Hebrew 10:20). Most people know about Jesus Christ, but few understand His mind, and His way of life. Without this way of life firmly fixed in our lives, we will not be in Christ's Kingdom.
No more vividly is Jesus Christ and His way expressed for us each year than in the Passover Service.
We reverently take the bread and wine, the symbols of His own body that suffered and bled. We reflect on His willingness to die and suffer in our stead. We also follow his example by washing each other's feet as he washed His disciples' feet. He was clearly showing a way of life in the foot washing part of the Passover Service, and on the night that began this terrible suffering and death. I believe we can get the idea of how important this was to Christ: for each of us to not just observe, but emulate Him. This is what Paul meant when he said, "Christ, who is our life .... (Col. 3:4).
This "mind of Christ", is the only one that can be sustained in the universe for all time. This is the mind that is eternal. Any other mind or mindset will come to an end. "No flesh shall glory is His presence, but of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption – that as it is written, "he who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (1 Cor. 1:29 -31).
We should understand this is the way that should be our whole life. It works for our church relationships, our business relationships and any other relationship. You just can't have a church face and be different at other times. It just wouldn't be genuine. Jesus was exactly the same way in front of His disciples and in front of Pilate. Pilate claimed power of life and death over Jesus. Jesus knew better and told Pilate, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it been given you from above". His submission to God was complete. His humility before men was perfected.
This He taught His disciples and they built the church on these principles. James and John, the ones who were vying for top position, especially learned the true way. Read the letter of 1 John with this in mind. You will see what was most important to that apostle.
Most troubles come from the fact that these principles are not lived throughout a person's life. Let us not jump from Christ's way and then to another when the situation suits us.
We observe the Passover annually. It brings us back regularly each year to that which is most important to God – not only belief in Christ, but Christ Himself in us. It must be genuine, total, forever.
Scripture tells us that we, too, need to undergo a transformation - a change, with God's help, from "the old man" to "the new man," a human being "renewed in knowledge" and "created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness" (Colossians 3:9-10; Ephesians 4:22-24). In this lesson we discuss this remarkable change, made possible by the transforming power of God's Spirit.
Did Jesus do what the records show? Was He, is He, really who He claimed to be? Can it be proved historically? Or are we left to simply accept it on blind faith?
This booklet seeks to address and answer the major questions that intelligent, reasoning people naturally ask in trying to understand Jesus Christ--the real story.
In this booklet we will examine the Bible's teaching on conversion—it is not just a one-time event. Instead the Scriptures reveal that it is a process. The process begins with God's calling, followed by the key steps of repentance, baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit, finally climaxing with the return of Jesus Christ — when the dead in Christ are resurrected to immortality and given eternal life — the ultimate transformation!
There is a crisis of faith. Few people place confidence in God or the future. Many have no faith their marriages will survive, that political leaders will honourably serve their country or that education will prepare them adequately for the challenges ahead. Faith is all too rare today. This booklet will help you understand the keys to living faith.
Almost 2,000 years ago, a miraculous, momentous event occurred—the New Testament Church was founded on the Feast of Pentecost. What made this event so astounding—and Acts 2 records that the circumstances of that day were truly dramatic—was the giving of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus Christ, just as He had promised.
Are you desiring a closer relationship with God? If so, where do you start? What tools can you use to grow spiritually and build that all-important relationship with your Creator? This important study aid will set you on the right path. Read and begin implementing these important elements today!
It’s obvious that our world is plagued with serious problems. Look around at the devastating wars, civil unrest, violent crime, rampant theft, corrupt governments, grinding poverty, hunger, spreading substance abuse, broken homes and families, natural disasters, failing educational systems and much more. These things aren’t new; they’re the sad legacy of human history. Is there any hope that these problems will ever be solved? Believe it or not, there is indeed great hope, and it’s found in the pages of your Bible. It’s called the gospel, a word that means “good news.” And it truly is good news, the message of Jesus Christ’s coming reign over the earth and God’s divine solution to our problems! Learn much more about this wonderful hope and news in the pages of this issue of Beyond Today. Download this issue in PDF. Individual articles will be posted in the upcoming days.