mind of Christ

1 John 2

"Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived." 2:6

How is that even possible? How do we even come close to living like Jesus did? My mind can't comprehend that.

But, with the mind of Christ, that's where we live like him. That doesn't mean we have to go out and choose 12 disciples, or be crucified - although some are persecuted for their faith - but the way we act (like Jesus), is our assurance that we belong to Christ.

All that Jesus did was a reflection of his identity as God's son, the fulfillment of his role to make atonement for our sins. Living like Jesus means we obey all that the Father asks of us - complete obedience and complete love of others.

When our identity in Christ matches the same identity Jesus had in his Father:

We begin to look like him.

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

We talk like him.

"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15

We go where he goes.

"And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:15

We see through his eyes.

"When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd." Matthew 9:36

We even smell like him!

"In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation - an aroma redolent with life." 2 Corinthians 2:15

So many times over the last few years I have prayed this for people - "That you will have the mind of Christ." That is all I could pray many times, knowing that nothing else was more valuable, more necessary, and the only thing that could save them. And for myself as well. Everyday I have to ask the Lord to give me his mind, so that all of these other things are an overflow of that.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,
declares the Lord.
As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Isaiah 55:8-9

This is a little picture of what having the mind of Christ looks like. For someone who was so far removed from any hope of life change, to being completely set free and transformed by the love of Jesus, to walking and talking and thinking like Jesus. I am constantly amazed by how this friend of mine is continuing to let the Lord renew his mind.

When I prayed for him to "have the mind of Christ" - the Lord did it! And he is so right, it is "COOL"!