The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
“Let This Mind”
Pride rather than humility serves as the native disposition of Adam’s fallen race. At this heart of such dark delusion slithers a deception so utterly false it would seem impossible to overlook:
“Ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).
No human being consciously thinks in these terms regarding himself or herself. Some do come to overtly believe the lie through false religious teaching. Most, however, live with the deception unwittingly influencing thought, attitude, word, and deed. Even after salvation though faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the installation of His Lordship, the desire for personal rule tempts every believer (Galatians 5:17). We must all be on guard against devilish, worldly, and fleshly enticements to perceive ourselves as more than we are, and to live as if we can navigate the course of life apart from the One for whom we exist, and who alone guides us in “the way which leadeth unto life” (Matthew 7:14).
Scripture sounds and resounds with the call to humility. The New Testament wondrously reveals the basis for our walk in self-deference:
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men, and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).
The mind of Christ Himself must enable the path of humility to which God calls us. That which does not come naturally to us, nor was ever meant to, must supernaturally direct us to humble ourselves before God and people. Indeed, when we realize a particular path of meekness to which our Father calls us and feel aversion to the journey, we should not be surprised. We cannot begin to innately produce the quality of humility required. The Spirit of Christ who dwells within our hearts, however, is abundantly able to reveal His character within us, directing us to “walk, even as He walked” (Galatians 4:6; I John 2:6). We “look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” as the author and finisher of our calling to “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2).
When first we see the Lord Jesus, His eternal and infinite majesty will rightly lead us to our knees and faces in overwhelmed wonder. “When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead” (Revelation 1:17). However, He will beckon us to “fear not” as the fearful Lion of the tribe of Judah will also be known as “a Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:5-6). Majesty and humility will shine before us in a glory that both overwhelms and comforts. We must presently know Him by faith in both aspects of His place in our hearts and lives. Growing humility will result, the humility that occurs by the presence of His character within us. No other way of humbling ourselves as God commands exists. Nor is any other way needed.
“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God, He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.”
(John 13:3-5)
“Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
(II Corinthians 3:18)
Weekly Memory Verse
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not, I am the first and the last.
(Revelation 1:17)
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