5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Philippians 2: 5-11

Since it was Jesus Christ who commanded us to love God with all of our mind, it would be a fair question to ask: “What kind of mind did He have?” If we were somehow able to answer this question, it might give us a real life model after which we could pattern our own minds.

This very question has been anticipated and answered by Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians. Consider these lessons to be learned from here:

1). The mind of Christ is available to us. (Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus… v. 5) Granted, we cannot be Christ. But, according to this text, we can and should have His mind. In order to have it though, we can’t force it in, or buy it in, or even shout it in, we have to “let it in.”

2). The mind of Christ brings a sense of humility to us. (And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself…v. 8a) Jesus was equal with God and had every right to remain “high and lifted up.” Nevertheless, He was willing to humble Himself to become one of us in order to save us. Having the mind of Christ makes us humble too.

3). The mind of Christ causes obedience in us. (…and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. v. 8b) As if it were not enough for Christ to humble Himself to become flesh, His mind also was so made up to complete His destiny to save us that He was obedient throughout His whole life even up to and on the death He experienced on the cross. When we have the mind of Christ, we don’t fight our destiny. We face it and overcome with it.

4). The mind of Christ results in exaltation for us. (Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him…v. 9) The mind of Christ began in humility, but ends in exaltation and glory. Do not be fooled by the fact that obedience often leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. Because, all the time, the aim was to get us to the other side which is a place of exaltation and glory.

We dare not steal His exaltation, nor attempt to rob Him of the glory of His name. Still, we can thank God that we can have His mind.