Heart and Mind of Christ
“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16
We are to have the mind of Christ, and how do we develop the mind of Christ? Through the Word we learn the heart and mind of Jesus, as we see Him heal people and tell them about the road to Heaven. Jesus had a heart of love, but always spoke the truth in love pointing people in the right direction.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:8) The apostle Paul lost everything but considered them garbage that he may gain Christ, and it is the same for us. The closer we are to Christ, which comes through the Word and through prayer; and the more we become like Christ; and we will become more like Christ throughout life, until our last day on this earth.
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22) We learn about the mind and heart of Jesus through the Word, but when we obey the Word it makes us more like Christ, because love now moves into our hearts. Jesus never performed miracles for himself but lived his life in human likeness so he could experience our life. And we live our life as Jesus did, and we experience the mind and heart of Jesus.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 22_23) We have the Holy Spirit within us, which comes through a repentant heart and baptism. Living by the fruit of the Holy Spirit makes us more like Jesus, especially when we have a heart filled with God’s unconditional love. It’s a heart of love that that gives the have mind and heart of Jesus.
A heart of love frees us from self, and places our priority on bringing people to Christ. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) A heart of love gives us freedom in Christ, because we live and pray that we can bring people to Christ. Our life is centered on serving Christ and bringing people to Christ for eternal life.
Today read the Word and seek to understand Jesus’ heart and mind. Obey the Word and seek to be more like Jesus every day, and always pray for the Lord’s help in being more like Jesus.
Prayer: Thank you for filling my soul with the fruit of the Spirit, and the Word so I can learn the heart and mind of Jesus. In Jesus name, Amen