Friday, April 15

The mind of Christ

Scripture: Joshua 19-20, Psalm 45, 1 Corinthians 2

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who has known the Lord’s mind, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Observation

Paul quotes Isaiah 40:13 from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures that was widely used in Paul’s time).  Who has known the Lord’s mind?  Earlier, Paul has stated that the only one who knows a person’s thoughts is that person’s spirit.  Only the Spirit of God knows God’s mind.  

But then Paul adds, “We have the mind of Christ.”  Why?  Because God has given us His Spirit.  The Spirit of God lives within us and can share God’s thoughts with us.  The Spirit can speak to us and reveal God’s mind.  

The Holy Spirit makes the mind of Christ—the thoughts of Christ—available to us.  

This doesn’t mean that we always get it right.  Humility is called for.  But it does mean that we’re not left on our own, that God wants to live with us and speak to us.  We need to humbly listen to the Spirit’s whisper.

Application

This has profound practical implications for us.  What does God think about _______?  We can ask and He will show us.  

What is required of us?  

First, to be filled with the Spirit.  Every day I ask the Spirit to fill me, lead me, speak to me, use me.  I want to live surrendered to the Spirit, in fellowship with the Spirit…filled with the Spirit.

Second, to be saturated with God’s word.  Jesus said that the Spirit would remind us of everything Jesus said (John 14:26).  When we soak in God’s word, we are learning to think His thoughts; we are learning the mind of Christ; and then the Holy Spirit can remind us as we need them.  He can’t remind you of what you haven’t heard or read.

Third, live in community.  These promises were given to the community rather than the individual.  We, plural, have the mind of Christ.  We are better together.  

Be filled with the Spirit, be saturated with God’s word, live in community…and then listen.  Discipleship 101: listen to Jesus, do what He says.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You have not left us on our own, but You have sent Your Spirit to fill us, speak to us and lead us.  We have the mind of Christ.  We can know what You think!