UNDERSTANDING
THE MIND OF CHRIST
Lesson #4 The Attitude Of SELFLESSNESS
Thus far we've
discussed the fact that "THE MIND OF CHRIST" is an active attitude.
It is more than a head filled with biblical facts or spiritual behavior. It is
a Christ-like approach to how we think and live our lives.
IMPACT POINT! We May Be Extremely
Skilled At Bible Interpretation And Church Culture And Have None Of His Mind.
Matthew 7:22-23; 22. Many will say to me
in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name
have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then
will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity.
IMPACT POINT! The
Threefold Mind Of Christ Is Unity - Humility And Selflessness.
Philippians 2:4; Let each of you esteem
and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also
each for the interests of others.
The only way to
fulfill the third part of this mindset is to be established in the first two:
UNITY and HUMILITY.
IMPACT POINT! Philippians 2:4; Is Broken
Up Into Two Commands, The First Negative And The Other Positive.
The Apostle Paul
tells us what we shouldn't be doing if we have a selfless mindset and then he
tells us what we should do.
He says: DON'T
LOOK ON YOUR OWN INTEREST (Negative Command). Then he says: LOOK ON THE
INTEREST OF OTHERS (Positive Command).
It is unnatural
to look over ones own interest to look to the interest of others. Even from
birth there is the innate Sub-consciousness to SELF PRESERVE.
IMPACT POINT! It Requires The Presence
And Power Of The Holy Spirit To Manifest The Attitude Of Christ.
The only way to
overcome the natural tendency to put ones own interest ahead of others is to
come into spiritual maturity. This only happens in a nurtured relationship with
the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-26; 22. But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23.
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24. And they that are
Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25. If we live
in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26. Let us not be desirous of
vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
When we live in
the Spirit we overcome the mindset of vain glory.
IMPACT POINT! To
Live In The Spirit Means To Allow Him To Govern Your Life.
The term Paul
uses for LOOK, in Philippians 2:4, is the Greek word Skopeo which is where we get our words scope and telescope. It means to
look farther. It's the idea of going beyond what you can see naturally.
Selfish people
are shallow and visionless. They see the world as a personal space not
inclusive of anyone else. As a consequence they are not blessed nor are they
ever positioned to be a blessing.
IMPACT POINT! Selflessness Demands A
Deeper Perspective.
1. YOU MUST LOOK OUTSIDE OF YOURSELF
When we live
with the Mind of Christ we approach every encounter with people from he
perspective of: who are they - what might hey need and how may I help.
IMPACT POINT! The Christ Attitude Is
Others First.
1 John 4:19-21; 19. We love him, because
he first loved us. 20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is
a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love
God whom he hath not seen? 21. And this commandment have we from him, that he
who loveth God love his brother also.
Jesus was
actually being crucified and was praying for his enemies.
Luke 23:34. Then said Jesus, Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and
cast lots.
IMPACT POINT! Christ Always Promoted
Selfless Thinking Even In The Area Of Enemies.
Matthew 5:43-48; 43. Ye have heard that
it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44. But
I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them
that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute
you;45. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the
just and on the unjust. 46. For if ye love them which love you, what reward
have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? 47. And if ye salute your brethren
only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? 48. Be ye
therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
2. YOU MUST LOOK DEEP INTO THE OTHHER
PERSON
Sometimes we
get into our feelings and retreat into selfishness. We look at situations with
only ourselves in mind. When we take the time to look beneath the surface we
often discover that the person is in need of our ministry and not vengeance or judgment.
Luke 23:34; Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Notice how
JESUS looked pass what they were doing and he identified why. He says:
"Forgive them for they DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING."
IMPACT POINT! Sometimes The Other
Persons Deliverance Has To Take Precedence Over Your Pride And Ego.
Selflessness is
being able to look pass a person's actions and still selflessly doing what's
best for them. Most of the time we judge and condemn people strictly based on
their actions. Often the will of God is for us to get to the cause and bring
healing rather than judgment.
We see a
demonstration of selflessness for the well being of another in the life of
Peter after he had denied Christ.
Mark 16:5-7; 5. And entering into the
sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long
white garment; and they were affrighted. 6. And he saith unto them, be not
affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is
not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7. But go your way, tell his
disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see
him, as he said unto you.
NOTICE: the emphasis on "tell his
disciples AND PETER". The intention was to specifically include Peter at a
time when he felt unworthy.
IMPACT POINT! The
Focus Wasn't On What Peter Had Done; It Was On What He Needed.
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